How Pets Make Life Better
By: Mala
Saturday, April 11, is National Pet Day. I thought I’d celebrate by sharing all the ways that loving a pet can improve your life.
The best prescription for well-being might be wagging its tail at your front door. Sharing your life with a pet can make you healthier and happier. Lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and increased joy are just a few perks of having a furry, four-legged companion.
Positive interactions with a wide range of animals can trigger uplifting feelings, but humans have long lived in harmony with dogs in particular. According to the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association’s Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook, 45.5% of U.S. households include a dog. Given the large number of dogs (89.7 million) in the U.S., there’s a wealth of research on the benefits of having a dog.
A dog can be a loving companion, protector, friend, loyal sidekick, and fellow adventurer. They can ease your anxiety, lick away your tears when you’re sad, or share in your joy when you’re happy. Dogs are part of the family and add another dimension to life.
Studies have shown that having a dog can help people live longer. A meta-analysis published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, which analyzed data from multiple studies conducted between 1950 and 2019, found that dog ownership was associated with a 24% lower risk of death from any cause and a 31% lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes compared to non-dog owners. A series of studies has suggested a link between dog companionship and lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
While dog owners who walk their dogs regularly are more likely to meet recommended exercise guidelines and maintain or lose weight, the benefits extend beyond physical health. Pets can also enhance mental health, reducing stress while improving mood.
Interacting with a dog can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase oxytocin (the feel-good hormone), promoting bonding and helping combat loneliness. Dogs offer companionship and unconditional love, which can be especially beneficial for those living alone. Even simple interactions, such as petting or playing with a dog, can boost feelings of happiness.
Dogs can act as social catalysts, making it easier for people to connect with others while out for walks or at dog parks. In today’s environment, where one in five people report feeling lonely, the increased social interaction that comes with pet ownership is important. The Surgeon General has declared a loneliness epidemic in the U.S., and 20% of U.S. adults in Gallup’s recent quarterly data indicate they feel lonely “a lot of the day.”
Caring for a pet fosters routine, purpose, and responsibility. Your dog can face the world with you, and caring for a dog can provide meaning as you move through life’s ups and downs together. In your relationship with your pet, you’ll find that you need each other, which is why you see bumper stickers that ask, “Who rescued who?”
If you’re looking for a workout buddy who never complains, a therapist who listens without judgment, and a friend who’s always happy to see you (even after you’ve been apart for just five minutes), consider welcoming a pet into your life. Having a pet offers the simple yet profound gifts of unconditional love, companionship, and a connection that makes life a little brighter. Many adoptable dogs are out there looking for their furever homes!