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A Furry Friend Could be Just What the Doctor Ordered: The Science-Backed Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

July 16, 2025


In an era marked by unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation – particularly among teens and young adults — pets can be powerful allies. The companionship and unconditional love we receive from pets has been clearly tied to improvements in both physical and mental health.

 

Indeed, as we scroll through the endless feeds, reels, and ads on our phones –that are uncannily curated just for us by a mysterious algorithm – the one thing that never fails to generate a smile or a chuckle are those cute animal photos and videos. Six cats trying to cram themselves into a mixing bowl…Puppies tumbling over each other to get a bite of a new chew toy or get closer to their mama…People doing yoga with goats…There is no end to the cuteness.

 

an older beagle mix looking to her left

Pet ownership has never been more popular – 62% of Americans own a pet and 35% have more than one animal. Nearly all pet owners say their pets are part of their family; and half of these owners say their pet is on par with their human family members, according to a Pew Research Center survey.[i][ii]  This is not just because they are furry and cute (although it doesn’t hurt!).  Having pets around can increase our sense of well-being and belonging, help reduce stress, combat loneliness, and even help us be more physically healthy. 

 

This might seem obvious to those of us who are already converted, but there is science behind how we feel about our pets. Decades of research have now been devoted to understanding how interacting with pets (especially dogs and cats, but horses, lizards, and rabbits too!) can contribute to our physical and emotional health.  An increasing body of evidence is showing that engaging with animals can be therapeutic for children, working adults, and the elderly alike.

 

Physical Health

Pet ownership and interaction can help prevent the risk of disease in the long term and improve our mental health and quality of life in the immediate term.  

 

The American Heart Association has studied the effects of pet ownership on heart health, concluding that pet ownership is be linked to lower blood pressure and lower risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2022, the AHA further reported that dog owners also tend to have lower resting heart rates and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-owners.[iii]  A study of over 2,400 cat owners concluded there was a significantly lower relative risk for death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack, compared to non-owners during a 20-year follow-up.[iv]  The research acknowledges that these positive indications are also tied to the higher likelihood that dog owners are more physically active, spend time outside, and have more social interaction, but there is clearly more to it than exercise.

 

A growing body of evidence is also showing that exposing new babies and young children to pets can help them avoid developing allergies and asthma. Research findings out of Sweden and Australia indicate that exposure to furry pets in the home during a child’s first year of life can reduce their chance of developing chronic conditions such as asthma, eczema, and hay fever.[v]

 

Emotional Wellbeing


Ninety-seven percent of pet owners say they consider their pet(s) to be a part of their family.[vi]  We are more likely to spend significant amounts of money to keep our pets healthy than ever before. The unconditional love and companionship that pets can provide is priceless in many ways.  Pet ownership can have a huge positive impact on our mental and emotional health – specifically related to coping with stress.

 

a girl cuddling with her small rescue dog

In addition to the signs of stress we are aware of, like a rapid heart rate or muscle and nerve pain and tightness, a key internal measure of our stress exposure is the amount of cortisol that is being released by our brains to help us cope. Our stress levels become “toxic” when we experience a high intensity of this cortisol release over prolonged periods of time.Exposure to adversity, particularly during childhood, is associated with this prolonged activation of the biological stress response and increases the risk factors for 9 of the top 10 causes of death in the US. [vii]

 

This is where pets come in. In a study of a group of college students, those who engaged with pets for just 10 minutes exhibited a notable reduction in their cortisol levels, showcasing the immediate physiological benefits of pet companionship.  Despite the benefits of remote work schedules for employees, many people report increased levels of anxiety and feelings of burnout and isolation.  Having a pet at home with you (or in the office) has been shown to reduce stress and increase employee satisfaction.[viii]  

 

“The excitement dogs often display when you arrive home makes you feel special and loved. Hearing a cat's gentle purring can be very soothing. Sitting quietly and stroking your pet's soft coat can trigger the release of oxytocin, the so-called love hormone.”

--Dr. Beth Frates, Massachusetts General Hospital

 

This evidence is borne out when pet owners are surveyed about their experience as a pet parent - nearly 70% expressed that their pets help reduce anxiety and loneliness and 95% report that they rely on their furry friend(s) for emotional support.[ix] 


Additional Therapeutic Benefits

A series of studies led by the National Institutes of Health over the past ten years looked at the benefits of interactions between animals and children with autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other developmental conditions.[x] 


One study found that having dogs in the classroom helped children with ADHD focus their attention. A group of children read to a therapy dog once a week for 30 minutes over a several month period. The children who participated in the study improved their cooperation, volunteering, and sharing skills and exhibited fewer behavioral problems. Another study found that when a group of children with autism spectrum disorder spent 10 minutes in a supervised group playtime with guinea pigs, their anxiety levels dropped. The children had better social interactions and engaged more with their peers after the study.[xi]

Another series of studies found that dogs can contribute positively to the rehabilitation process for people who have had strokes, seizure disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.  The dogs provided emotional support to their owners and have even participated in physical therapy sessions. [xii]


Interactions with pets can also help families manage Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.  One study showed that a group of long-term care facility residents who got to spend time with a therapy dog every day exhibited a decrease in distress and agitation and an increase in awareness and communication skills during activities.  One study of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s Disease found that after the introduction of an aquarium into the facility, residents began eating more and gaining weight, improving their mood and overall quality of life.  Animal-assisted therapy has also been found to carry over to caregivers – significantly improving their own levels of distress and anxiety. [xiii] 

 

The Growing Crisis

Unfortunately, there are barriers to pet ownership that prevent families from realizing these benefits.  A third of people surveyed reported that they did not feel they could afford to own a pet, particularly due to the high cost of veterinary care. More than 60 percent of pet owners report that affording care for their pet is their biggest worry. 

 

Indeed, the cost of veterinary care has skyrocketed – increasing by more than 60 percent in the past decade, outpacing inflation.[xiv]  A surgery that might have cost $2,000 for a dog 25 years ago now costs upwards of $10,000.  This is in part due to medical and technological advances, but other trends like corporate buyouts of individual vet clinics and consolidation of pricing are the real driving force behind the exponential increases.

 

Vets are often paid based on how much money they bring in and how many surgeries they complete, creating an incentive to order more tests and prescribe more medications, supplements, and special food. While pet insurance policies are available, insurers do not negotiate prices on behalf of their policy holders.  One corporate chain that has bought up clinics across the country is known to enjoy a 375% profit margin on services provided in their emergency and specialty care hospitals. 

 

little girl snuggling up to her gray tabby cat

From last November through January, Gallup and PetSmart Charities spoke with 2,500 pet owners across the U.S. They found that 52% of pet owners skipped needed veterinary care in the last year. That includes 37% of owners who visited a vet but declined recommended treatment. Other studies found that number to be closer to 45%.[xv]

 

We can do better. That is why we are creating Palmer & Riley – a non-profit animal care organization whose mission is to establish a system of compassionate, high-quality, affordable veterinary care across Minnesota and beyond. Our goal is to establish three 24/7 emergency and specialty care hospitals over the next five years.  We believe no family should be forced to forego lifesaving medical care for their pet because they cannot afford it.  Stay tuned for our next article where we will discuss more about our vision for Palmer & Riley.

 

***

Palmer & Riley is a non-profit, women-led animal care and advocacy organization committed to providing a compassionate, affordable care experience for pets and “their people.”

 

ENDNOTES

[i]   Anna Brown, Pew Research Center.  “About half of U.S. pet owners say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member.” July 2023; available at

 

 

 

 

 

[vi] Anna Brown, Pew Research Center.  “About half of U.S. pet owners say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member.” July 2023; available at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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