Dr Dougal Sutherland: Are pets as good for our wellbeing as we like to think?

There’s a common belief that having a pet is good for one’s wellbeing. You often hear stories about how looking into a dog’s eyes gives you an emotional boost or that using real and fake animals in rest homes boosts residents’ moods, but it turns out it’s not a guaranteed path to better mental health – reality is more nuanced.   Some studies do find that pet owners report lower anxiety and loneliness, and greater life satisfaction. However, other studies show no significant difference, and some have even found that pet owners actually reported lower wellbeing, including higher loneliness, than non-owners.   The type of bond between owner and pet plays a crucial role.   Owners with insecure attachments (e.g. anxiety about separation or doubts about their pet’s affection) tend to report higher depression and anxiety – this likely to be worse if your pet also has insecure attachment and worries when you’re not there!   Feeling a shared identity with a pet (e.g. similar traits or habits) is linked to better wellbeing, so if you look like your pet, you feel better – not sure what that says about me as I’ve got two miniature schnauzers!   Mindful interaction with pets —appreciating their present-focused nature— can help owners stay grounded. This is the idea behind support animals for people with various types of disability   Pets require time, energy, and financial resources, which can be stressful, and it’s sometimes the reason people give up pets early.  During the pandemic, pet ownership was linked to lower wellbeing among women, parents, and those with unstable employment – probably because it was yet another thing to think of/worry about.  Caring for sick pets or dealing with behavioural issues and grief after loss can be emotionally taxing.   So, think carefully if you’re thinking about getting a pet! It’s not necessarily all it’s cracked up to be – but we wouldn’t give up ours for anything!  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.