New Research Challenges the Belief That Pets Significantly Improve Mental Health

A recent study has dispelled the widely held belief that owning pets leads to significant improvements in mental health. Researchers have found that while pets may slightly reduce loneliness for individuals living alone, the overall mental health indicators of pet owners are not better than those of non-pet owners.

Pets have long been thought of as natural companions for people facing mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and isolation. With the rise of “pandemic pets” during COVID-19 lockdowns, many believed that having a pet would provide comfort and alleviate feelings of loneliness.

However, new research from Aarhus University and King’s College London indicates that the mental health benefits of owning a pet may be overstated. The study, published in the journal Mental Health & Prevention, followed more than 6,000 participants in the UK for a year, assessing their mental health across several dimensions including depression, anxiety, loss of interest in activities (anhedonia), and loneliness.

The study’s findings revealed that owning a pet did not lead to significant improvements in mental health outcomes. Surprisingly, the researchers found that pet owners reported slightly worse mental health outcomes compared to those without pets.

“We were quite surprised by the results,” said Professor Christine Parsons, the lead researcher from the Department of Clinical Medicine. “The common belief is that pets help improve mental health, but our data suggests the opposite may be true.”

Exercise and Structure: Do They Matter for Mental Health?

Another common belief is that owning a dog, in particular, leads to increased physical activity and a more structured daily routine. This, in turn, is often thought to improve mental well-being. The study did confirm that dog owners were more likely to exercise regularly—40% of dog owners reported engaging in daily physical activity compared to 35% of non-owners.

Yet, despite the increase in physical activity, the study found no significant differences in mental health outcomes between dog owners and non-dog owners. This suggests that while exercise and routine are important, they may not be enough to offset mental health struggles for those who own pets.

Pets and Loneliness: A Small Impact

One area where pets did provide a measurable benefit was in reducing feelings of loneliness among those living alone. Both cat and dog owners who lived alone reported slightly lower levels of loneliness than those without pets. While this effect was small, it ran counter to the stereotype of the lonely “Cat Lady.”

Interestingly, for individuals living with partners, families, or roommates, owning a pet did not make a significant difference in feelings of loneliness.

“We found that while pets might help people who are living alone feel slightly less lonely, they don’t appear to have the same effect for those living with others,” said Dr. Katherine Young, senior author of the study. “This challenges the narrative that pets are a universal remedy for feelings of isolation.”

Gender Differences in Pet Ownership and Mental Health

The study also examined the role gender plays in pet ownership and mental health. Women were found to be more likely to own cats, with 30.3% of women owning cats compared to 22.7% of men. However, the study did not find any significant gender differences in mental health outcomes related to pet ownership. Both men and women who owned pets reported similar levels of anxiety, depression, and anhedonia.

Managing Expectations Around Pet Ownership

As public perception of pets’ ability to improve mental health grows, studies like this one aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of the actual benefits. Professor Parsons hopes that this research will help adjust expectations around pet ownership and mental health.

“Our research shows that while pets can offer companionship, they are not a solution for mental health challenges, especially during difficult times like a pandemic,” Parsons said. “It’s important to approach the topic with a more realistic perspective.”

Dr. Young added: “This large-scale, longitudinal study adds to the growing body of research that suggests the mental health benefits of owning a pet may not be as clear-cut as many assume.”

The findings were drawn from responses in the Repeated Assessment of Mental Health in Pandemics (RAMP) study, which used internationally recognized measures for assessing mental health, including the PHQ-9 for depression, the GAD-7 for anxiety, the MASQ-AD for anhedonia, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale.

As the debate around pet ownership and mental health continues, it’s clear that more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between humans and their pets. For now, this study suggests that while pets can provide companionship and reduce loneliness for some, they are not a cure-all for mental health issues.