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How Pets Can Improve Mental Health
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Introduction
Hi. My name is Sophie. I’m a five-year-old golden retriever. I’m blonde. I’m beautiful. But it’s impossible to hate me. More importantly, I know quite a bit about how pets can improve your mental health. That’s because I can read my mom, Susan’s, thoughts. And body language, too. So I suggested to Susan that I co-author this article with her. Because we’re best friends and because she trusts my opinions on all things pet-related, she said, “Sure.”
Table of Contents
Mental health benefits of owning a pet
What kind of pet would be best for someone with mental health issues?
How pets can improve mental health FAQs
Summary of our guide to how pets can improve mental health
Benefits of owning a pet for mental health
I’m a golden retriever and I’m good at my job. I give Susan unconditional love, for starters. I’m not a registered pet therapy dog, but I’ve seen “firstpaw” how even plain old companion animals like me can give humans a new sense of purpose in life.
Spending time with Susan over several years, I’ve learned a lot, although I can’t say they’re scientific facts. I’ll leave the scientific stuff up to Susan.
So let’s take a look at some of the ways pet ownership can lead to mental well-being. There are physical health benefits to living with pets and we’ll get to those, as well.
Less stress
Did you know that the body releases stress hormones when you’re upset or under pressure? Stress hormones can wreak havoc on your body, let me tell you. They lead to inflammation, which, in turn, can cause a lot of other physical and mental health problems.
Cortisol is one of the most important stress hormones. It affects every organ in your body. Cortisol gives you the extra boost you need when you’re under a lot of stress. By increasing the glucose in your brain, for example, cortisol gives you a sudden burst of energy: very helpful when you’re being chased by a bear in the woods.
But too much cortisol can actually increase your stress symptoms. Keeping cortisol at bay is a worthy goal. And pets can help you with that! Susan says it’s scientifically proven that just petting a cat or dog for a little while can reduce the cortisol in your body. So pat your furry friends more often, I say! It could even lead to lower blood pressure.
Reduces anxiety
The sound of a cat’s purr. A reassuring kiss or goofy trick from a pup like me. If you’re an animal lover, you’ve gratefully received these gifts numerous times and you treasure them. But according to science, here’s what’s happening in your body when you experience a close human-animal bond. Your body produces two feel-good hormones: oxytocin and dopamine. When these chemicals flood your body, you grow more relaxed. It’s easier to let go of thoughts that raise anxiety levels and just focus on the goodness of the here and now. Your cat is nestled in your lap and all’s right with the world.
Eases loneliness
Loneliness can strike anywhere, at any time, and at any age. You can live in a house full of people and still feel lonely. During the worst of the pandemic, when our social interactions were limited, pets became a major source of comfort for many of us. Far more than before, in fact. According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the ASPCA), more than 23 million households adopted pets in 2020. That’s one out of five! As a dog, that makes me so happy. It’s great to know so many animals are enjoying human love and that cats and dogs are relieving the pain of social isolation. Want some more science? A survey by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute found that 80 percent of pet owners say their pets make them feel less lonely. Pets are especially good at relieving loneliness in the elderly.
Helps increase productivity
Do you ever have trouble concentrating on work or home chores? You’re not alone. I find squirrels terribly distracting.
You may be surprised to learn that pet owners have an edge in the productivity department. For one thing, animals crave human attention and will ask for it regularly. It’s tough to resist those puppy dog eyes or a cat rubbing against your legs and purring loudly, isn’t it? Animals force us to take breaks, which we all need from time to time.
If you own a dog, you are likely to get some physical activity every day. Getting up from your desk and moving around—like when you take your dog for a walk—improves your ability to concentrate on work when you’re back in the office. It’s no wonder more offices have become pet friendly. Employers want to boost worker productivity and are willing to try lots of things to make that happen.
Improves social skills
Here’s some great news: pet ownership can improve your social life. Maybe even more than Match.com! Being friends with a dog or cat teaches us to be better friends with humans. Think of pets as good practice for the human world. Pets teach us to trust and be more open with our feelings. I know Susan sure pours her heart out to me. Sometimes she works through difficult conversations she needs to have with people by talking to me first. My neighbor, Marley the cat, has it tougher: she listens to teenage troubles all day long!
Pets can be especially helpful for people with autism, who often struggle with human interaction. The pet-person relationship gives autistic people the chance to be intimate, without fear of judgment.
And by the way, if you do use dating sites, you might be interested to know that having a pet makes you more attractive. One study Susan read reported that 63% of daters said they’re more likely to “swipe right” on someone with a dog in their photo. Those are doggone good odds!
Improves mood
We’ve talked about some of the chemical changes that accompany human-pet interactions. But there’s another category of chemicals you should know about: endorphins. Endorphins are the ultimate feel-good hormones. The brain releases endorphins under many circumstances. Exercise is a great way to get those endorphins pumping. You’ve probably heard about the “runner’s high”? Dog walks can give you a similar boost.
Laughter is another endorphin producer. And you know, if nothing else, that animals are very funny. I don’t know about other pets, but I don’t even have to work at being funny! I eat cherry tomatoes and cucumbers off the vines in our backyard and Susan just laughs her you-know-what off. And have you ever seen a cat hopped up on catnip? They get the zoomies—which is funny, because I’ve tried catnip and it just made me want to go to sleep.
What kind of pet would be best for someone with mental health issues?
According to Susan, that depends, in part, on what symptoms a person is experiencing. Neither of us is saying that pets alone can cure your mental health problems. Other interventions, like therapy with a human or prescription medicines, may be necessary to cure your blues.
Needless to say, if you’re struggling with stress, you should choose a pet that doesn’t make your life more stressful. Choose the right size pet for your home. Don’t get a Great Dane if you live in a small apartment. The close quarters won’t be good for either of you. If you’re not physically up to the job of walking a dog, a cat might be a better choice. And by all means, don’t get a pet that will aggravate your allergies.
Your budget will also influence your choice of pet. Don’t get a fancy pedigree dog if you can’t comfortably afford one, for example.
I may be biased, but I agree with the experts on this: dogs are most effective in easing symptoms of depression. Some people struggle with low self-esteem when they’re depressed. There’s nothing like a dog to make you feel like you are a perfect human! Dogs love you no matter what. Once you’re loved by a dog, you’ll never be unloved. Your self-esteem may also improve simply by taking care of a dog’s basic needs. Even routine pet care, like feeding and brushing, is rewarding. The feeding is my favorite part.
If you’re suffering from anxiety, you probably don’t want a rambunctious puppy in your life right now. (Don’t rule it out for the future, though!) Many small pets, from guinea pigs to birds to tropical fish, can help relieve anxiety. Gazing into a colorful fish tank and even designing one yourself, is a great way to relax. Bird songs in the morning can be ultra-soothing to humans, or so I’ve observed while joining Susan for coffee on our front porch.
How pets can improve mental health FAQs
What are pets for mental health called?
That depends on the level of training a pet has received. For example, a dog assigned to help someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder has to learn a lot of skills and pass a lot of tests. (Talk about stress and anxiety!) Those animals are rewarded with the proud title of "service dog." Some service animals are trained to help people with physical disabilities and they go through a different kind of training.
Some generous dog owners have their pets certified as therapy dogs. Therapy dogs don't have to study so hard, but they still help a lot of people. They can work anywhere, from public libraries to mental health facilities to prisons.
Cats and even less common pets are sometimes certified as Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). ESAs don't have to go to school at all. Now who's a lucky dog!
Does owning a pet cure depression?
Probably not all on its own. But it can certainly help relieve certain symptoms of depression, like low self-esteem and feelings of isolation. Here's a tip. When I get in trouble, I bark! I'm not afraid to ask for Susan's help. So if you're suffering from depression, get in touch with a helper—like your doctor or mental health counselor—as soon as you can. Together, you can decide on how to address your condition. Your treatment plan may very well include getting a pet to keep you company.
Do pet owners have better mental health?
Susan has researched this question. She learned that, overall, pet owners say their animals help relieve symptoms of common mental illnesses and improve their mental health. This doesn't prove that pet owners, as an entire group, have better mental health than others. It just shows that pet ownership can help you feel better if you're experiencing some form of mental illness.
How can pets help someone with mental health?
It's all very scientific and kind of hard for me to wrap my golf ball-sized brain around. It comes down to neurochemistry—a word I just learned. Caring for a pet can stop your body from releasing stress-inducing chemicals (like cortisol) and help it produce feel-good chemicals, including endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine. But human-pet relationships also give you a chance to get into good mental health habits. Pets help you maintain a routine, get physical exercise, and practice your social skills.
Summary of our guide to how pets can improve mental health
My mom, Susan, adopted me when I was two years old. She had lost both of her parents and her first golden retriever. Ouch! That’s enough to make anyone howl at the moon.
Arriving on Susan’s doorstep, I became a veritable Velcro dog, always at Susan’s hip. I became her new baby to protect and lavish love on. Lucky me! I gave her back a sense of purpose, I guess. Plus, I got her out of the house! We visited dog parks, swam in lakes, and took walks around the neighborhood. Susan likes to say I saved her life. But really, it was the chemicals.
Here’s what you need to know about how pets can improve your mental health:
- Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses are caused by chemical imbalances.
- The choices you make in life can correct these imbalances. Parenting a cat, dog, or bunny is just one route you can take to feel better. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol and drugs can help, too.
- Living with a pet can decrease the amount of cortisol your body produces. Cortisol is a stress hormone and too much of it is bad for your mental health.
- On the other paw, living with a pet can increase the amount of several feel-good chemicals in your body, including oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins.
- Choose a pet carefully. Don’t pick a pet that’s going to add more stress to your life.
- Adopt a dog or cat, if you can. There are millions of shelter animals that need your love and can return it to you in spades. You can adopt a dog online. The same is true of cats and even llamas. Personally, I’d love to have a llama sister or brother. But Mom gave me a rare, flat-out “No!” on that one.
- Dogs may be humans’ best friends, but a mental health professional is your best ally in recovering from mental illness. Don’t skip this important step if you’re suffering symptoms. Call your doctor or a mental health counselor today.
I know it has been a long one, so thanks for taking the time to read the story of Sophie and Susan! Who knows? Maybe you’ll adopt a pet and find it’s just what the doctor ordered. Think about it, okay? Now, let’s go for a walk!
