By Dr. Jennifer L. Yocum, Licensed Acupuncturist
The relationship between humans and their pets is a pure and sacred bond that is cherished by many. Whether it’s the wagging tail of a dog, the soothing purr of a cat, the gentle flutter of a bird’s wings, the soothing views of fish swimming, or interacting with a rabbit, rodent, reptile, amphibian, or insect friend, pets bring joy and warmth into our lives. What’s more, science increasingly shows that pets can greatly impact our physical and mental health. From reducing stress to improving cardiovascular health, the benefits of pet ownership are as diverse as the animals themselves.
Mental Health Benefits: Companionship and Emotional Support
Pets are natural mood boosters. Their unconditional love and companionship provide a sense of purpose and structure that can be particularly beneficial during challenging times. They lighten our spirits with their silly antics, desire for affection, and joyous sense of play.
Stress Reduction: Interacting with pets has been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, while increasing oxytocin, which promotes feelings of bonding and relaxation. Stroking a pet or simply spending time with them can create a calming effect on both mind and body (UC Davis Health, 2024; Bowman, 2024). Many animals have specific benefits:
- The rhythmic purring of cats has been shown to lower blood pressure and promote relaxation (HABRI, n.d.).
- Aquariums are particularly beneficial for individuals with dementia or high stress levels (Clements et al., 2019).
- Some suggest that hearing birdsong can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help us to be more in the present moment.
- Observing the slow, deliberate movements of reptiles or amphibians can have a meditative quality, helping owners reduce stress and improve focus. For example, watching a turtle swim or a gecko climb can be soothing.
Combatting Loneliness: For many, pets act as nonjudgmental companions that ease feelings of isolation. In fact, 86% of pet owners report that their furry friends positively impact their mental health by providing companionship and emotional support (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). Because loneliness can lead to higher rates of dementia, cardiovascular issues, and more, this is a profound benefit to pet ownership.
Anxiety and Depression Relief: Studies suggest that pets help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression by fostering routines and offering constant affection. Their presence can act as a grounding force during moments of distress (Robinson & Segal, 2024). Therapy and emotional support animals can provide great support. Rabbits are also often used as therapy animals due to their calm nature and less allergenic fur, comforting those who have anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Social Connection: Pets can also serve as social icebreakers. Dog owners, for instance, often meet new people during walks or at dog parks, fostering social interaction that can improve overall well-being (Robinson & Segal, 2024). Others may bond over their love of a particular type of animal, with some people even attending conferences all about that animal!
Cognitive Stimulation and Practicing Mindfulness: Caring for pets often requires attention to detail (e.g., maintaining specific temperatures or humidity levels for amphibians, reptiles, spiders, insects, or fish; noticing when an animal is hungry or feeding them at specific intervals; or cleaning up after them), which encourages mindfulness and focus, promoting mental clarity.
Healthy Aging: Pets may help older adults fight off dementia and cognitive decline. Studies show that seniors with pets experience higher scores on cognitive tests compared to those without pets (Bowman, 2024). Seniors who own pets tend to be less lonely, get more exercise, and have less stress, which may explain the higher scores. Another study suggests that bird ownership may improve psychological health in cognitively unimpaired older adults (Cherniack & Cherniack, 2014).
Emotional Support for Neurodivergent Children and Families: For families with children on the autism spectrum, cats have been found to offer emotional comfort and improve family dynamics (HABRI, n.d.; Nagasawa et al., 2023). Another study showed that children with autism had less anxiety when they played with guinea pigs in the classroom, and had improved social interactions (El Camino Health, 2023). Studies have also shown that dogs can help children with ADHD to focus better, have improved social skills, and fewer behavioral issues (El Camino Health, 2023).
Physical Health Benefits: From Heart Health to Fitness
Owning a pet doesn’t just make you feel better emotionally—it can also improve your physical health in measurable ways.
Heart Health: Pet owners often have lower resting blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared to non-pet owners. Even short interactions with pets can lower heart rate and blood pressure by reducing stress-induced inflammation (Bowman, 2024; AHA, 2024).
- Dogs: The American Heart Association (AHA, 2024) highlights that owning a dog may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 31%. Dog ownership has been linked to increased longevity, especially in individuals recovering from heart events. These loyal companions provide social support that fosters healthier lifestyle choices (AHA, 2024).
- Cats: Another study showed a reduced relative risk of death due to myocardial infarction or other cardiovascular diseases (including stroke) with cat ownership, even if it was just in the past and was not current (Qureshi et al., 2009).
- Fish: Studies show that watching fish swim in an aquarium can also reduce blood pressure and increase relaxation (Clements et al., 2019).
Encouraging Exercise: Over 60% of dog owners meet the recommended weekly exercise guidelines simply by walking their pets (UC Davis Health, 2024). This regular activity reduces risks for chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity while improving overall cardiovascular health (AHA, 2024), and can reduce risks for certain cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, and kidney cancers (UC Davis Health, 2024).
Pain Management: Observing fish in an aquarium or interacting with therapy animals has been shown to reduce pain perception in healthcare settings. This calming effect is particularly beneficial for individuals undergoing medical treatments or experiencing chronic pain (Sanchez et al., 2015).
Improving Physical Outcomes in Dementia Patients: Studies have shown that watching fish swim in aquariums helps patients with dementia to have improved nutritional intake and body weight (Clements et al., 2019).
The Science Behind the Bond
The human-animal bond is deeply rooted in biology. When we interact with pets, our bodies release oxytocin—the same hormone responsible for mother-child bonding—which enhances feelings of trust and reduces stress. This connection is so powerful that even brief interactions with animals can produce measurable physiological changes like reduced cortisol levels and improved heart rate variability (Nagasawa et al., 2023; Robinson & Segal, 2024).
Moreover, pets fulfill our innate need for touch. Stroking or cuddling a pet provides sensory comfort that calms the nervous system. This effect is profound and has even been shown to help prison inmates who interact with therapy animals to improve their long-term behavior (Robinson & Segal, 2024).
The power of pets extends far beyond their adorable faces or playful antics—they are partners in our journey toward better health and happiness. As science continues to uncover the depth of this bond, one thing is clear: our animal friends aren’t just good company—they’re good medicine. So whether you’re considering adopting your first pet or simply appreciating the one you already have, know that your relationship is not only heartwarming but also life-enhancing.
References
American Heart Association (AHA). (2024, November 7). 16 science-backed reasons adopting a dog could be good for your heart. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/pet-owners/a-dog-could-be-good-for-your-heart
American Psychiatric Association. (2023, March 1). Americans note overwhelming positive mental health impact of their pets in new poll; dogs and cats equally beneficial. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/positive-mental-health-impact-of-pets
Bowman, A. (2024, March 18). Boost your health: the benefits of having a pet. Mayo Clinic. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/boost-your-health-the-benefits-of-having-a-pet/
Cherniack, E. P., & Cherniack, A. R. (2014). The benefit of pets and animal-assisted therapy to the health of older individuals. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research, 623203. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/623203
Clements, H., Valentin, S., Jenkins, N., Rankin, J., Baker, J. S., Gee, N., Snellgrove, D., & Sloman, K. (2019). The effects of interacting with fish in aquariums on human health and well-being: a systematic review. PLoS One, 14(7), e0220524. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220524
El Camino Health. (2023, August 1). Beyond companionship- the health benefits of owning a pet. https://www.elcaminohealth.org/stay-healthy/blog/beyond-companionship-health-benefits-owning-pet
Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). (n.d.). Top 5 health benefits of cat ownership. https://habri.org/assets/uploads/Top-5-Health-Benefits-of-Cat-Ownership-Infographic.pdf
Nagasawa, T., Kimura, Y., Masuda, K., & Uchiyama, H. (2023). Effects of interactions with cats in domestic environment on the psychological and physiological state of their owners: associations among cortisol, oxytocin, heart rate variability, and emotions. Animals (Basel), 13(13), 2116. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132116
Qureshi, A. I., Zeeshan Memon, M., Vazquez, G., & Suri, M. F. K. (2009). Cat ownership and the risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases. Results from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study mortality follow-up study. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, 2(1), 132-135.
Robinson, L. & Segal, J. (2024, February 5). The health and mood-boosting benefits of pets. HelpGuide. https://www.helpguide.org/wellness/pets/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs
Sanchez, M., Delpont, M., Bachy, M., Kabbaj, R., Annequin, D., & Vialle, R. (2015). How can surgeonfish help pediatric surgeons? A pilot study investigating the antinociceptive effect of fish aquariums in adult volunteers. Pain Research and Management, 20(1), e28-e32. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/419412
UC Davis Health. (2024, April 11). Health benefits of pets: how your furry friend improves your mental and physical health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/health-benefits-of-pets-how-your-furry-friend-improves-your-mental-and-physical-health/2024/04
Note: This article was originally published in a local magazine for their May 2025 issue. For citation references, please contact Dr. Yocum at https://jenyocum.com/contact/
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