(Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM) Pets play an important role in our lives. In addition to the emotional benefits, they can also provide physical and mental health benefits.

Their presence brings comfort, reduces the feeling of loneliness, and contributes to a general sense of well-being. 

Our pets offer us a genuine and sincere form of connection, based on affection and loyalty. This special relationship is essential for our overall well-being. 

Emotional and Mental Health Benefits

• Stress Reduction 

Studies show that pets reduce stress and anxiety. An analysis of 28 studies with 1,310 participants showed that pet therapy helps reduce stress and anxiety. The results of this analysis showed that pet therapy had the following benefits: 

• Lowers heart rate

• Lowers stress

• Lowers anxiety

However, it did not significantly affect blood pressure.

The effectiveness of pet therapy varies depending on factors such as participants’ age, health status, presence of stressors, and whether therapy was done individually or in groups.  

Another study investigated whether interacting with their own pet dog improves mood and reduces stress. After a stress-inducing task, participants were assigned to interact with their dog, use coloring books, or wait. The persons who spent time with their dogs showed greater increases in positive mood and larger reductions in anxiety compared to the other groups. While negative emotions did not significantly decrease overall, playing with their dog helped reduce them. The findings suggest that everyday interaction with pet dogs can effectively lower distress and improve emotional well-being.

• How Interacting with Pets Lowers Cortisol and Promotes Relaxation – Myth or Reality? 

Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys. It influences many bodily processes and helps regulate the body's response to stress. Both too high and too low levels of cortisol can have negative effects on our health.

It is often said that pets can lower cortisol levels. However, a study from Japan focused on how interacting with pet cats affects their owners’ psychological and physiological states. In this study, cat owners spent 10 minutes engaging with their pet cats. The results showed that these interactions reduced emotional arousal but increased heart rate and influenced hormone levels, including cortisol and oxytocin. Unlike previous research suggesting stress reduction, the findings indicate that cat interaction may have a stimulating physiological effect. In other words, the people in this study experienced a positive but activating state, where cortisol increased without being harmful.

In dogs, things are a bit different. A study looked into how oxytocin and cortisol levels in dogs and their owners are related to their behavior during interactions. Results showed that interaction increased oxytocin in both dogs and owners, decreased cortisol in owners, but increased it in dogs. Behavioral patterns were linked to these hormone levels (for example, owners with lower oxytocin touched their dogs more, and more stimulating touch raised dogs’ cortisol). Overall, the findings suggest that hormonal changes in both dogs and owners are closely connected to how they interact and respond to each other.

• Companionship and Loneliness - Pets as Social Support, Especially for People Living Alone

Pets may reduce loneliness and support mental health, but the evidence is conflicting, and the mechanisms are not fully understood.

A study from Hong Kong examined the relationship between pet ownership and well-being, focusing on the role of loneliness, living arrangements, and attachment to pets. The results showed that people who own pets and live alone feel less lonely, which contributes to better well-being. However, when pets are perceived as a substitute for human relationships, this is associated with lower well-being, an effect explained by increased loneliness. Overall, the study highlights the importance of a balanced attachment to pets and maintaining human social relationships.

• Impact on Depression and Anxiety - Role of Pets in Improving Mood and Providing Routine

As mentioned previously, pets can lower anxiety. Regarding depression, an analysis of 21 observational studies was conducted, including a total of over 159,000 participants, to assess the association between pet ownership and depression. The researchers began with the idea that dogs and cats can offer emotional support and help alleviate loneliness. The results showed that, overall, pet ownership is not associated with a significant change in the risk of depression compared to people who do not have pets. However, when differentiating by pet type, it was observed that cat ownership is associated with a slightly increased risk of depression, whereas dog ownership does not show a significant link with this risk. The study concluded that the relationship between pets and depression is a complex one and is influenced by several factors.

Another study investigated the impact of pet ownership on mental health and cognitive functioning in older adults, given that depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline are common problems at this stage of life. The research included 215 participants over the age of 59, divided into two groups: pet owners and people without pets. Symptoms of depression and anxiety, psychological well-being, and cognitive functioning were assessed. The results showed that people who own pets have lower levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who do not have pets, although the effect was small. In contrast, no significant differences were identified between the two groups in terms of anxiety, general well-being, or cognitive performance. In conclusion, owning a pet may be associated with emotional benefits, particularly by reducing depressive symptoms in the elderly. However, the relationship is not generalized to all aspects of mental health.

No matter what the studies say, it is very clear that our pets make our lives more beautiful, giving us sincere affection and helping us feel less alone.

Physical, Social, and Lifestyle Effects of Pet Ownership

Pets have a significant impact on physical health, especially for dog owners, because they can promote a more active lifestyle. Dog owners are more likely to exercise regularly because they engage in outdoor activities (daily walks, dog parks, playing, socializing their pets with other dogs, and so on). All of these activities can contribute to improving physical fitness and heart health. Furthermore, contact with pets can strengthen the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to certain diseases.

In addition to the physical benefits, pets also influence our social lives and lifestyles. Dogs especially facilitate social interactions. However, both cats and dogs often become topics of conversation and can contribute to the development of new relationships. At the same time, caring for a pet requires a daily routine and develops a sense of responsibility (especially in children), which can improve organization and overall well-being.

However, owning a dog or a cat also comes with some disadvantages. The downsides of owning pets can be related to health, finances, or limitations on personal freedom. Some people may suffer from allergies or be exposed to health risks, such as diseases transmitted from animals (zoonoses). In addition, having a pet involves financial costs, such as veterinary care. Emotional challenges should also be taken into consideration, especially in the event of illness or the loss of a beloved companion. The responsibilities of owning a pet can also limit freedom of movement, affecting travel and work-life balance.

Iuliana graduated from the University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in 2012, Romania. She has a Master’s degree in Small Animal and Equines Pathology and a strong affinity for Veterinary Parasitology and Laboratory. In 2013 she started her Ph.D. in epithelial cancer in dogs and cats. She volunteered at the faculty’s clinic in her 3rd year of study, and continued her career in small animal pathology and laboratory. She has one cat and eleven rats. Her interests outside of work include traveling, writing, and crafting.