Your Pet & Mental Health

There isn’t just one way in which our beloved pets help us to live a happier life. While you can’t rely on a pet to fix issues and professional or medical advice is always important to seek when you’re going through something, they do help. When it comes to day to day stressors and trying to avoid everything stacking up, our pets can really help to ground us and give us something positive to focus on.

Depending on the species of pet you get, your activity levels will usually see an increase. Even if you get a kitten or bunny that doesn’t necessarily need a walk, you’re going to become more active through play. Without a doubt, dog owners are naturally more likely to increase their exercise when getting a dog. A study shows that dog owners are four times more likely to meet the current physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week.

 

While walking your dog is important for them to get out and work off some energy while also stimulating them mentally, it does the same for their human companions! Exercise is a quick way to happy hormones, the endorphins that are released during physical activity and get you out of a slump and feel better during the day. Physical health is directly linked to mental wellbeing. Regular exercise will help to strengthen joints and bones along with shifting any extra weight. When you’re looking and feeling your best, it’s easier to have a more positive outlet compared to when you’re sluggish and feeling down. Dog walking is great exercise and the best part is, that you’re obliged to do it otherwise you will get the big sad eyes treatment if you miss their regular walk.

 This doesn’t have to be limited to just puppy parents. You can find walking equipment for a range of different species like cats, rabbits and ferrets like the Ancol Reflective Cat Harness & Lead Black so you don’t have to miss out. Like a puppy, any pet you plan on taking for walks just needs some training in how to walk on a lead.

While physical exercise is a big help when it comes to mental health in feeling better, it isn’t the only impacting factor. One of the greatest risks to mental health is loneliness and we see it especially in the elderly. There are even specific charities that have been set up where the whole purpose is to give everyone someone to talk to or sit down and have a cup of tea with. Humans are social animals, we need to communicate regularly for our well being. Prolonged periods of solitary confinement with nobody to talk to can damage mental health.

Not everyone has a vast circle of friends at their disposal or a big family to talk to but pets are just that, they can be both friends and family. A public health study in 2019 measured the mental well being of several groups of people. Over a three month period, participants who were given dogs for companionship reported a 95% reduction in loneliness. Having someone to talk to and communicate with aided their mental health even when the level of human to human interaction didn’t change.

 

Cat’s Protection also conducted research for this 2023 report which found that 55% of cat owners reported that their reason for getting a pet was companionship and to reduce feelings of loneliness. Pets really are members of the family who care for us and help with our mental well being just as much as we look after them.

You might think that every time your pup runs into a tree on their walk or your hamster takes a tumble in their cage that they add to your stress. While situationally that might be true, having a pet that you care about can be stressful, studies show that overall they are actually a stress relief and good for our overworked and overtired brains. Research has shown for years that petting an animal reduces anxiety in humans. A recent study in Switzerland took it a step further and measured the neurological chemicals caused by being around our furry friends.

The research was conducted with 19 healthy individuals both with and without a dog for company. They found that the company of a pet can reduce depression and anxiety so pet ownership is a vital support for mental health. Many animals are trained as emotional support aids for individuals with chronic anxiety to help them manage going places and completing tasks. They can give them the confidence to do things they might not do on their own.

Owners of fish tanks have also undergone a study in 2019 on the impact of their fishy friends on their mental health. The results showed that overwhelmingly even though people interact less with their fish, watching a fish tank reduces stress and increases feelings of relaxation so it isn’t just pup parents that benefit from their pets. 

There’s so much research now to show just how much our pets really benefit our mental health and enrich our lives. In return we should work to meet all of their needs, it’s the least they deserve after all. While supporting us through stressful times, it’s vital to remember that our pets can get anxious as well. Sometimes unrest in our lives can have us feeling stressed but it can rub off on our fluffy family members too.

Giving your pets ways to relax through calm one on one time with you can benefit their mental health as well as yours. You can also provide them with comforting things specifically to help destress them like the Rufus & Rosie Calming Grey Dog Bed. It’s an anti anxiety dog bed made to feel like your pup is getting a nice warm cuddle to make them feel safe and secure. If you’re going through a stressful situation that might impact the welfare of your feline friend, products like the Beaphar Catcomfort Excellance Cat Calming Diffuser Plug in & Refill Starter Kit can help manage their stress levels while they help with yours!

To support your beloved pet as much as they help you, you can find all of the essentials and calming remedies in store and online.