10 Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet
Bringing a pet home for the first time can be one of the happiest days of your life! And why wouldn’t it be? Their cuteness is not the only thing that puts a smile on your face but there are many other mental health benefits of owning a pet.
Between 2019 and 2020, sixty-seven per cent of American households own a pet, and for good reason.
It doesn’t take a genius to know what a pet is. But according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a pet is a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
What could be more pleasurable than companionship, cuddles and unconditional love? I don’t know about you but I’d pick a pet any day!
Why I Love Pets
Growing up, we’ve never been without a dog. So when I moved out of home, it felt so strange not having a dog.
Living in an apartment can be so lonely because a lot of the time, you’re not allowed to have pets so it’s not bothersome to the neighbours.
I lived alone for many years and in 2015, I suffered a panic attack that landed me in the emergency department. I barely slept and ate for three weeks and being at home alone was a very anxious time for me. Imagine going home to a space that no longer felt safe?
I saw a couple of psychologists to help me deal with my anxiety and depression but we didn’t really click, as well-intentioned as they were.
The third psychologist I saw was different though. She had a therapy dog called, Hazel. At my first appointment, Hazel smiled at me (she was trained to smile and cuddle). I burst to tears of joy before I even sat down, and I never looked back.
Fast forward to today, my husband and I now own a chocolate Labrador called Molly. Especially with everything that’s been happening recently, she has been the source of positivity in our lives.
Reasons Why Owning A Pet Is Good for Your Mental Health
There are many mental health benefits of owning a pet. Whether you own a cat, a dog, a bird or something else, they’re always bound to enrich our lives in spades.
Here are the top psychological benefits of pet ownership:
1. They help you cultivate compassion and empathy
Pets rely on their owners’ kindness for their very survival. They also help you tap into your inner compassion especially when they are not well. You help nurse them back to recovery and do whatever you can to make sure they feel better.
2. They help improve your patience
Many people might argue that raising a pet could be similar to raising a child. You feed them, clean up after them, teach them independence and your world will revolve around them. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
Pets also cannot express themselves through speaking (unless you have a parrot!) so you really have to learn how they communicate from the way they move, the look in their eyes and the sounds that they make. You have to study them as you raise them, and that takes a great deal of patience.
3. They help cultivate a sense of responsibility
One of the mental health benefits of owning a pet is it gives you a sense of purpose and responsibility. A pet will draw you out of your own bubble and will help you feel needed. Essentially, a pet will help you focus on something else other than yourself.
4. They help you establish habits
Another reason why owning a pet is good for your mental health, is they help you establish routines and habits. Pets are highly routined creatures and they depend on you to be the same. They need to eat around the same time, exercise around the same time, relieve themselves around the same time and get check-ups around the same time.
This sets up discipline on your part, which is one of the advantages of being a pet owner.
5. They provide companionship
One of the best mental health benefits of owning a pet is companionship. They give us opportunity for social interaction and a sense of security, especially if you live at home alone. Many pets, especially dogs, are amazing sentries, alerting you if someone’s at the door.
6. They reduce feelings of loneliness
How could you feel lonely cuddled up to your pet? In my case, our chocolate Labrador, Molly, always cheers me up every time my husband travels interstate for work. Pets, particularly dogs, are like shadows who give you lots of affection, kisses and cuddles.
7. They help reduce anxiety and depression
If you’re a naturally anxious person like me, having pets is a sure-fire way to help you feel at ease. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, positive human-animal interaction can significantly increase oxytocin levels in the brain, consequently reducing anxiety and depression, and improving your mood.
8. They help keep you fit
If you’re lucky enough to have a dog like we do, you’d know what it’s like to be kept on your toes (physically!). One of the advantages of being a dog owner is you will be compelled to exercise, because an exercised dog is a happy dog. And if your dog is happy, you’re happy, right? If dogs don’t get enough exercise, they could get anxious or even be destructive.
9. They help you feel happier and more optimistic
It’s very difficult to look at your pet and not smile. They bring so much happiness in unspoken ways. If you look back at my experience, the therapy dog at my counselling session was enough to cut through my distress and make me well up from joy.
10. They give you unconditional love
Last but not the least, and perhaps the best psychological benefit of being a pet owner is feeling loved unconditionally. There’s no better feeling than knowing that you will never be judged by your pet. Pets are loving and loyal companions and they will always make you feel it, whether by giving you cuddles or by protecting you. They’re practically like family members, they are your tribe.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many mental health benefits of owning a pet. Having pets may be challenging at times but the advantages are worth it. They will give you so much love, make you feel secure and even help keep your anxiety at bay. Plus, they’ll keep you fit! What’s not to love?
Bio
Corinne Rootsey is a personal finance and personal development blogger from Australia. When she’s not blogging, she loves reading, playing tennis and speaking in cute voices with their chocolate Labrador. You can follow her journey at my jEARNey.

How true, I couldn’t be without my dogs and cat. Our Grace knows when I’m not feeling well and she comes in for a hug which in turn make me feel loved and much better.
Pets are so intuitive, aren’t they? They just know how you feel.
Really insightful! I love my pets but never really thought deeply into all the benefits I get from having them. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Leigha. Glad you found the post insightful 🙂
Great points! We’ve only recently been without a dogs – I had a black lab for 13 years and he was such a great dog! They definitely do bring so much into your life.
Labs are amazing! I could only imagine how devastated you were when you lost him. They’re like family. We have a chocolate lab and she’s so smart, almost human actually!
Love this. Growing up we never had pets and I always told myself that when I grow up I’d have a whole pack of dogs. Well, that didn’t happen. We just have one. But I became a vet tech. Lol, thanks for sharing!
Pleasure! You may not have a pack of dogs but now you work with a whole pack of animals of all sorts 🙂
This is so true! I constantly reflect on just how lucky I am to share my heart and my home with our pets. Having battled with mental health issues myself, I can see how my dog Daviana in particular has been a vital part of my recovery. We are bonded super closely and she seems to just know when I need her to come cuddle me or give me a kiss because I’m having a bad day.
I’m glad the post resonated with you, Britt. We’re definitely lucky to have pets who love us unconditionally.
This is all so true. We foster dogs and cats and each one is special. They also helped our mental health immensely during the stay-at-home orders.
You’re right, having a pet makes the stay-at-home orders more bearable.
Yes, pets can improve your mood instantly. We have 4 dogs and they all have their own personalities. Love each one equally.
Like children, right? And as different as they are, you can’t help but love them all equally.
This is wonderful! I can’t wait to get my puppy in August. 🙂
Not long to go now, Ana. I can guarantee that you’ll have a blast. 🙂
My dog has given me so much joy. Such a good companion!
Needful content. Keep creating content like this! Tons of love for you
Thanks for your comment, Turno.
A life without a pet is no life at all! I’ve always had pets and I can’t imagine my life without them 🙂 I currently have a 2-year rescue who is the embodiment of joy and happiness! Thanks for sharing these!
I couldn’t agree more, Calie. Pets are like family and I’d be devastated myself if I lived without a dog.
Yes to all of this!!! This is why I have six pets lol
Haha! That’s great, Alexis. I’m happy for you 🙂
While I REALLY do agree with you, I am so allergic to cats—my preferred pet—that I can’t see getting one anytime soon. My kids are grown and will soon be leaving home, so while I have more time to actually care for a pet, I won’t have anyone else to help with and to benefit from having one. Great post, though. 🙌🏾
No worries, Vox. That’s totally understandable. My friends had to give up their dog when their child got diagnosed with being allergic to dogs. It was heartbreaking but it just had to be done.
So true! My cat just wandered into my life and now I can’t imagine a single day without him! Great post 🙂
Thanks Alexandra. I wish you many many more happy years with your cat 🙂
What a great read! I agree! I couldn’t imagine life without my dogs.
Me neither, Jackie! Thanks for your comment 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! I couldn’t imagine life without my dogs. Such great tips here!
Animals are such great healers. I am lucky to travel full time and usually bring my dog with me. She’s been all over Canada, US, and Mexico.
It’s such a wonderful feeling when you can take your dog traveling with you. We take our dog on road trips with us and it’s usually more fun with her.
Love this! There are so many benefits to having a pet. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome, Amanda. Thanks for taking the time to read it.
Wonderful article, when I feel low I just play with my dog. It feels so good. Good read…
Me too! And she’s always up for a game of fetch,
This is the content I like to see!
And this is the sort of comment I like reading 🙂 Thank you so much!
For me, all our pets are my babies/kids. For a year I was without a horse and I cried everytime I saw one in a field. Our babies bring so much joy to my heart and soul. Though it hurts to lose them when they take the path to heaven, I can’t live my life without them in it.
It sure is heartbreaking when they depart our lives. But I always think they’d be in puppy heaven with other puppy angels eating unattended treats.
I feel all these things with my animals! So nice to see it shared!
Glad you liked the post, Leigha.
As a counselor wholeheartedly agree that pets can really make a profound impact on the human life. I think more people are beginning to realize this and is an underlying reason we’ve seen so many pet adoptions during the era of social distancing.
I couldn’t agree more, Tana. Pets can make humans feel better in so many unspoken ways.
Wow great article! Indeed pets improve your moods!
Thanks you so much. Pets do, indeed, improve your mood and give you so much unconditional love.
I have a cat and I love her so much, there are days when I am upset and she just somehow knows. She will come sit with me and that’s the warmest feeling in the world. Your post was amazing and true.
And they purr when they’re happy, which also makes us happy 🙂 How good are cats!?
Everything that you have mentioned is so true.
Glad you think so, Muqadis. Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
I love both my pets so much! I have really found a new connection now that we are spending more time at home!
Glad you found a new connection with your pets during this time. They probably love you more now too 🙂
This is so true! We didn’t have any pets in our home for 10 years. Then we adopted two rescue kittens. They changed the energy of our house overnight. The kids are happier and life is just more relaxed and happier – plus we want to spend more time at home.
It’s so nice to hear stories of pets changing people’s lives, which really validates what I’ve written. I’m glad your family is happier with your two rescue cats 🙂
I can’t believe how true it is!
pets are loyal, and there is no doubt about that!
thanks for creating such a truth filled post.
You’re welcome, Hari. I’m so happy that the post resonated with you.
So true! Animals are so intelligent, and hugely benefit our lives! I couldn’t live without mine
I couldn’t live without one either. I seriously think pets can teach us so many things such as loyalty, companionship and love.
Our golden retrievers are so astute! They get super snuggly when they can tell we are feeling blue or upset.
I can’t imagine my home without my big crazy dog. I have suffered from bad Depression in the past and I don’t know what I would have done without him. Every time I am about to cry he stops me in my tracks – he literally won’t let me cry! He starts licking me like crazy and head butting me. Then I of course start laughing. Such good therapy. Love my fur baby!
My dog is one of the best things for my mental health! Thanks for sharing this post.
We have 2 dogs (Aussie and Husky) I love that our kids will grow up with pets and learn so much from them. They are the best adventure buddies you could ask for.
I absolutely love my dog! He makes me so happy and helps me to stay calm! Great post!
My grandma has a chocolate lab named Molly! I love dogs so much! Growing up all of my dogs were outside because they were hunting dogs. When I moved out on my own I got me a pitbull and shes the biggest baby ever! She just turned five years old 😭 now I have 3 dogs and am wanting another. I really think I have an obsession. The exercise is so great too especially now my son is able to run around with them so it wears them all out! It’s a win win!
My pet bring me such peace of mind her nick name is Buddha! They are unconditional love!
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These are all such good reasons! We got a dog 3 years ago and it one was in the best decisions we ever made. They can be a lot of work sometimes, but the benefits outweigh the work.
I’ve alwAys lived pets but never had one personally. But during these trying times developing patience and routine can be a great tip