Can Pets Improve Our Health?
Credit: Mohammad Bazar, Unsplash+
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
– Anatole France
Growing up around horses and dogs, the love and joy they brought me was immeasurable. Humans can be aggravating and hard to communicate with at times, but with animals, there is solace in speaking with the soul and simple, soft pets. Beyond the emotional connections however, there are a plethora of discussions on the physical and mental impacts these adorable companions have on our health. Here’s a closer look!
I know for me and many others, stroking a puppy’s fur immediately washes a wave of calmness over me and has the power to de-stress me instantly. One 2012 study points out the existing evidence suggesting the potential of interactions with animals to increase oxytocin levels, the “love hormone” that promotes positive feelings. Another study by Millet et al.- that compared the effects of interacting with bonded dogs between men and women- found that women had 58.4% increase in oxytocin level after interacting with their bonded dogs while observing no such effect on men. This, interestingly, may be due to the effects of the hormone estrogen (not suggesting that there is no health benefit to men) and the behavioral psychological notion of women to “tend-and-befriend”. Conversely, there has also been evidence of no statistically significant increases in humans’ oxytocin levels- more research is needed for a definite conclusion on whether interactions with pets increase oxytocin levels.
For fitness, having a pet (especially one that needs to be walked!) can greatly correlate with physical health. Pet owners have been found to have lower systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure, researchers have found. Research also shows evidence of significantly lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-dog owners, aiding in managing hyperlipidemia.
Perhaps the greatest impact pets have though, is on mental health. The act of companionship alone can reduce loneliness and social isolation, which are predictors of anxiety and depression. In older adults, pets provide comfort, social inclusion, purposeful routine and a meaningful role in life. Especially during periods of extreme isolation, such as COVID-19, or even in everyday life as humans become increasingly tuned in to the online world, pets can be a central social support. Anonymous surveys conducted during COVID-19 revealed companionship by pets reduced negative psychological emotional states, while increasing experiences of self-compassion and belonging.
While pets can have a myriad of benefits akin to having human company, there are trade-offs to be considered. The spending needed for our little furry (or scaly or feathery) friends can amount to something similar to that of having a child, which poses financial challenges. Pets also ultimately do not live as long as we do, and the psychological distress of losing a loved one is heartbreaking. But to this I ask you– is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? But no matter which animal-lover you are, pets can be our partners on our long life journey to better physical, mental, and emotional health.
If you’re intrigued by the healing power of pets, why not experience it firsthand? HIH is hosting a Fluffin’ Therapy on December 3rd, where you can de-stress and connect with some adorable bunnies. Whether you’re looking for comfort, a smile, or just some time to unwind before finals, we’d love to see you there! Click here for more details
Here’s a video of funny cat clips to brighten your day :)
By Chloe Wang (she/her/hers) | Blog Committee Member
References
Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., Kotrschal, K. (2012, July 9). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234
Bennett, P. C., Trigg, J. L., Godber, T., & Brown, C. (2015). An Experience Sampling Approach to Investigating Associations between Pet Presence and Indicators of Psychological Wellbeing and Mood in Older Australians. Anthrozoös, 28(3), 403–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2015.1052266
Hussein, S. M., Soliman, W. S., & Khalifa, A. A. (2021). Benefits of pets’ ownership: A review based on health perspectives. Journal of Internal Medicine and Emergency Research, 2(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.37191/Mapsci-2582-7367-2(1)-020
Kogan, L. R., Currin-McCulloch, J., Bussolari, C., Packman, W., & Erdman, P. (2021). The Psychosocial Influence of Companion Animals on Positive and Negative Affect during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Animals, 11(7), 2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072084
Marshall-Pescini, S., Schaebs, F. S., Gaugg, A., Meinert, A., Deschner, T., & Range, F. (2019). The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog–Owner Relationship. Animals, 9(10), 792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100792
Miller, S. C., Kennedy, C. C., DeVoe, D. C., Hickey, M., Nelson, T., & Kogan, L. (2009). An Examination of Changes in Oxytocin Levels in Men and Women Before and After Interaction With a Bonded Dog. Anthrozoös, 22(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.2752/175303708X390455
Owczarek, M., Nolan, E., Shevlin, M., Butter, S., Karatzias, T., McBride, O., Murphy, J., Vallieres, F., Bentall, R., Martinez, A., & Hyland, P. (2022). How is loneliness related to anxiety and depression? A population-based network analysis in the early lockdown period. International Journal of Psychology, 57(6), 585–596. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12851
Oxytocin: The love hormone. (2023, June 13). Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/oxytocin-the-love-hormone
