Pets and Your Mental Health

If you are lucky enough to have a special pet in your life today, show them some extra love and attention for Love Your Pet Day! Anyone who owns, or is close to someone who owns, a pet knows the many joys an animal can bring into your life! Ongoing research shows the variety of positive benefits owning a pet can have on your health, including your mental wellbeing. Consider some of these health benefits while you are spending quality time with a pet in your life.

Owning a pet has a big impact on your life, no matter the kind. We welcome pets into our lives as companions and treat them as members of the family. Owning a pet can increase the amount of physical activity you are getting, as pets often require exercise of their own. Regular physical activity has a big positive impact on your quality of life! But pets not only help you become more active, they increase your socialization with others, provide companionship, and reduce feelings of loneliness. Owning a pet can help provide more structure and routine to your day to day life. You may find you feel more motivated, as pets provide a sense of purpose and achievement. Owning a pet can also help reduce stress and other mental health symptoms. Older adults with dementia who own pets experience less anxiety and improved quality of life. Pets can be a helpful companion for children with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Pets also help promote feelings of relaxation and calmness as they help to fulfill the human need for touch. Time spent in the company of a pet can easily boost your mood and offers a variety of benefits to owners and close friends and family members.

The positive effects of pet ownership go beyond promoting a healthy lifestyle and are now often a part of pet therapy and work as service dogs. Research has shown a variety of ways that pets can be beneficial in the treatment of mental health disorders. Service dogs offer companionship and help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. Pet ownership helps individuals manage their feelings and reduce stress related to having a mental health concern. Pets have also shown to be helpful as therapy dogs in reducing stress in college students. Research on the benefits of spending time around animals is growing and we are continuing to discover how pets can be helpful in the promotion of good mental health.

A pet is a big commitment and responsibility. Pet ownership requires time, attention, and money in order to support the needs of your pet. Different pets require different things and it is important you are considerate of any pet’s needs before making the commitment. Owning a pet can limit you from frequent travel and prevent you from attending certain social events. Be mindful and consider your lifestyle when choosing a pet. Make an educated decision on the best pet for you. If you can’t own a pet try spending time with someone else’s! Many of the benefits of owning a pet can still be achieved by spending time around animals. Consider volunteering at an animal shelter or asking to take your neighbor's dog for a walk.

Show the pets in your life some extra love today, whether they’re a dog, a cat, a bird, or a fish, appreciate all the goodness they bring into your world.