Pet Therapy: How Pets Improve Our Health

In addition to being loyal companions, pets are our unconscious allies in maintaining health. Whether it’s through daily walks that improve physical fitness and reduce stress or their incredible ability to improve our mood, pets play an important role in our daily lives. In recent decades, research has shown that pets bring numerous health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to boosting the immune system. In this article, we will explore how pets can become true therapists on four paws, helping us feel better both physically and mentally. However, it’s important to note that, as the National Institutes of Health (2018) states, research on human-animal interactions is still in its early stages, and the results are not always consistent.

Benefits for Physical Health

More than 60% of dog owners achieve the recommended amount of exercise each week — 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Establishing healthy habits, such as regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, can reduce the risk of various cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, and kidney cancer (UC Davis, 2024).

Pet ownership can also positively impact heart health. The mere presence of animals can significantly reduce blood pressure. Pet owners typically have lower resting blood pressure compared to those who don’t own pets. Regular exercise, such as walking your dog, also lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases (Ibid).

Pets, such as dogs and cats, can introduce allergens and endotoxins into the home, but they can also help reduce sensitivity to these allergens. While exposure to cats can reduce the risk of asthma, contact with dogs can increase it. However, young children, especially babies under one year old, experience immune benefits from pet ownership, as exposure to both cats and dogs is linked to a reduced risk of asthma and allergies by the age of five (Orford, 2024).

While it’s still uncertain whether pets have clear benefits for physical health, it’s essential to protect yourself from the risks associated with living with animals. Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to illness due to contact with animals. To reduce risk, follow these recommendations:

• Wash hands thoroughly after contact with animals.
• Regularly vaccinate and maintain your pet’s hygiene and health.
• Supervise children while they interact with animals.
• Prevent children from kissing pets or putting their hands or other objects in their mouths after contact with animals.
• Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes, as toxoplasmosis, a disease transmitted by cats, can cause serious problems during pregnancy (National Institutes of Health, 2018).

Benefits for Mental Health

Interactions with animals, such as petting and eye contact, increase levels of oxytocin, the hormone that reduces stress. Studies have shown that dog-assisted therapy can reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Even watching animal videos, such as those of fish, monkeys, or birds, can reduce stress (Orford, 2024).

Pet ownership, especially of dogs, can positively impact cognitive and brain health. A study of 95 adults showed that pet owners performed better in cognitive functions, such as processing speed, attention, and episodic memory, and had larger brain structures. The greatest benefits in cognitive health were observed among dog owners. Additionally, pet ownership can reduce “brain age” by up to 15 years, with older adults benefiting from owning more than one pet. These findings suggest that pets, especially dogs, may contribute to protection against cognitive decline in older age (McDonough et al, 2022).

Pets can also help reduce symptoms of depression, as confirmed in studies with people experiencing hearing loss, homelessness, and HIV. However, the results are mixed, and some studies have found no link between improved depression symptoms and pet ownership, especially in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and unmarried men (Orford, 2024).

Pet owners often consider their pets a part of the family, and research shows that living with a pet can boost self-esteem and reduce loneliness (Orford, 2024). Although the responsibility of pet ownership may seem challenging, it helps structure daily life and gives a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Pet ownership can also motivate us to become better and more organized (UC Davis, 2024).

Conclusion

While pets may offer health benefits, such as reducing stress and depression, improving mental sharpness, and lowering the risk of heart disease, research shows that studies on human-animal interactions are still in the early stages, and these benefits are not universal. For some people, pets may have negative effects, such as increasing stress or causing allergies. Before deciding to get a pet, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor, and if you’re not interested in owning a pet, the good news is that even watching animals online can reduce stress.

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.

Reference

• National Institutes of Health. (2018, February). The power of pets. NIH News in Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
• Kemelmakher, A. (2023, November 28). A woman laying on the ground holding a dog [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-laying-on-the-ground-holding-a-dog-UXegqV8op-A
• University of California, Davis [UC Davis]. (2024, April 11). Health benefits of pets: How your furry friend improves your mental and physical health. UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/health-benefits-of-pets-how-your-furry-friend-improves-your-mental-and-physical-health/2024/04. Medically reviewed by J. Sykes.
• Orford, S. (2024, July 1). 11 Potential Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Pets. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/potential-health-benefits-of-pets#possible-health-benefits. Medically reviewed by V. J. Tavella, DVM, MPH.
• McDonough, I. M., Erwin, H. B., Sin, N. L., & Allen, R. S. (2022). Pet ownership is associated with greater cognitive and brain health in a cross-sectional sample across the adult lifespan. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14, Article 953889. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.953889