Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Pets
I want to start this blog off by stating I am very biased. Since getting my dog, Willow, in 2020 (yes, I fell into the covid puppy trap) I have become the epitome of an obsessed dog mom. My personal experience aside, there is an immense amount of research documenting the significant mental and physical health benefits of having pets! Potentially most importantly, they shower us with unconditional love and affection!
Pets and humans have evolved together for some time allowing pets to become acutely attuned to our emotions and behavior. Going a step further, dogs specifically are not only able to understand the words we use but also the nuances of our tone of voice, body language and facial expressions. In fact, dogs can recognize even the smallest of facial movements that indicate a change in our emotions. They remain present and focused on providing love and support to their human when they’re struggling. This a reason dogs are frequently used as emotional support animals or service dogs for people struggling with PTSD, patients in hospitals, and other mental health struggles.
There are countless ways pets can positively impact our mental health.
Playing with an animal can increase levels of both serotonin and dopamine which both contribute to feelings of happiness and pleasure.
Petting, hugging or simply touch an animal can decrease anxiety levels and improve depressive symptoms. Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression.
Successfully caring for someone outside ourselves can help build self-confidence and a positive sense of self.
Animals can help us cultivate mindfulness practices. Pets set a wonderful example of living in the moment, not worrying about the past or future and instead appreciating the present.
Pets decrease feelings of loneliness by providing companionship to their owners. Isolation and loneliness can have a lasting negative impact on your mood. Having a companion can help prevent sickness and can extend your life expectancy.
Taking care of an animal can allow you to feel needed and wanted. This allows us to place our focus outside of ourselves and our problems and instead feel competent and useful.
Caring for an animal, especially dogs, is a great way to meet new people. Whether it’s stopping on the street for dogs to sniff each other, chatting with other dog owners in your building, or starting up friendships with people at the dog park. Dogs are a great way to open conversations.
Since working from home, it’s not uncommon for our days to lack structure. Ensuring our pet’s needs are met on time is a great way to implement a consistent routine to our day. Regardless of our mood our pets need to be fed, walked, and cared for. Having a reason to get up, move and spend time outside are all necessary to keep our mental health in check.
There are many physical health benefits of having a pet starting with fulfilling the innate human need for physical touch.
Touching an animal can cause a decrease in cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and blood pressure levels. Humans with pets maintain lower blood pressure levels in high stress situations than those without pets.
Humans unintentionally match their own breathing and heartbeat to the resting rate of the dog they’re interacting with allowing us to regulate our nervous systems.
Dog owners are significantly more likely meet their exercise goals. As physical and mental health are tightly linked, getting more exercise greatly improves your mental health as well.
While friends, family, and significant others are great support systems, there’s nothing quite like coming home to a wagging tail and smiling face. Having a pet means having a source of unconditional love and someone who’s excited to simply spend time with you. The research on the positive impacts of pets on both physical and mental health is overwhelming. If you’re interested in learning more or hearing of other ways to positively impact your mental and physical health, please reach out to schedule a session!
Sydney Gideon, LCSW
About the Author
Sydney Gideon, LCSW is a clinical social worker specializing in trauma & PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder. She incorporates EMDR, CBT, and Trauma-Informed Therapy into her treatment. Read more about Sydney here.