Animals play an important role in many people’s lives.

In addition to seeing-eye dogs and dogs that

can be trained to detect seizures, animals can also be used in occupational therapy, speech therapy,
or physical rehabilitation to help patients recover.[1] Aside from these designated therapeutic roles,
animals are also valued as companions, which can certainly affect the quality of our lives. Is that
companionship beneficial to our health?

The better we understand the human-animal bond, the more we can use it to improve people’s lives.
This article summarizes what is known and not known about how animals help improve the health
and well-being of people, and what the implications might be for helping people who don’t have pets
of their own. Over 71 million American households (62%) have a pet, [2] and most people think of their
pets as members of the family.[3] Some research studies have found that people who have a pet
have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise,
and are less depressed. Pets may also have a significant impact on allergies, asthma, social
support, and social interactions with other people.

Impact on Physical Health

Companion animals may improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and regulating the heart
rate during stressful situations. In a 2002 study, researchers measured changes in heart rate and
blood pressure among people who had a dog or cat, compared to those who did not, when
participants were under stress (performing a timed math task). People with a dog or cat had lower
resting heart rates and blood pressure measures at the beginning of the experiment than non-pet
owners. People with a dog or cat were also less likely to have spikes in heart rates and blood
pressure while performing the math task, and their heart rates and blood pressure returned to
normal more quickly.They also made fewer errors in their math when their pet was present in the
room.[4]  All these findings indicated that having a dog or cat lowered the risk of heart disease, as well
as lowering stress so that performance improved.

A similar study found that having your dog in the room lowered blood pressure better than taking a
popular type of blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor) when you are under stress. [5] Other
research has indicated that the simple act of stroking a pet can help lower blood pressure and
cholesterol.[6]

Children’s exposure to companion animals may also ease anxiety. For example, one study
measured blood pressure, heart rate, and behavioral distress in healthy children aged 3 to 6 at two
different doctor visits for routine physicals. At one visit, a dog (unrelated to the child) was present in
the room and at the other visit the dog was absent. When the dog was present, children had lower
blood pressure measures, lower heart rates, and less behavioral distress. [7] However, research on
the health benefits of child and animal interaction is still limited. Further research is needed on how
pets influence child development and specific health outcomes.

Findings suggest that the social support a pet provides can make a person feel more relaxed and
decrease stress.[8] Social support from friends and family can have similar benefits, but interpersonal
relationships often cause stress as well, whereas pets may be less likely to cause stress. The social
support provided by a pet might also encourage more social interactions with people, reducing
feelings of isolation or loneliness. For example, walking with a dog has been found to increase social
interaction, especially with strangers, compared to walking without a dog. [9]
Among elderly people, pet ownership might also be an important source of social support that
enhances well-being. In one study, elderly individuals that had a dog or cat were better able to
perform certain physical activities deemed “activities of daily living,” such as the ability to climb
stairs; bend, kneel, or stoop; take medication; prepare meals; and bathe and dress oneself. There
were not significant differences between dog and cat owners in their abilities to perform these
activities. Neither the length of time of having a dog or cat nor the level of attachment to the animal
influenced performance abilities. Companion animals did not seem to have an impact on
psychological health but researchers suggested that a care-taking role may give older individuals a
sense of responsibility and purpose that contributes to their overall well-being. [10]

A large German study collected pet information (dog, cat, horse, fish, bird or other pet ownership)
from over 9,000 people at two different times (1996 and 2001). The survey included a number of
health, economic, and labor issues, so that respondents would not realize the researchers’ interest
in a link between pets and health. Researchers found that people who said they had a pet in both
1996 and 2001 had the fewest doctor visits, followed by people who had acquired a pet by 2001; the
group of people who did not have a pet at either time had the highest number of doctor visits.
[11] 
Similarly, a study of women in China found that those who were dog owners had fewer doctor
visits, took fewer days off sick from work, and exercised more often than non-dog owners. [12]

Research on allergies and asthma is mixed. Some studies show that having a cat might increase
allergen sensitivity, while others show it might protect against cat allergies.  Having a dog might not
influence or might protect against specific dog allergies. [13] A 2013 study found that mice were
protected against allergies when they were exposed to dust that came from homes with dogs. [14]  The
researchers discovered that the protective effect was due to a certain type of gut bacteria that is
often present in people with dogs. More research is needed on the connection between allergies,
asthma, and pets, but it is possible that the impact of having pets on allergies may depend on the
age of the person at the time they are exposed to an animal as well as the type of pet. For example,
6 and 7 year old children who lived with a bird during their first year of life were more likely to have
respiratory symptoms like wheezing compared to children who did not have a bird in the home as an
infant.[15] Likewise, researchers say that the timing of when a pet is in the family is also important.
Children with dogs or cats in their home during the first year of life are less likely to develop allergies
in childhood.[6]  

As is true with any relationship, some human-pet relationships are likely to be more rewarding than
others. Some people are more attached to their pets than others and those feelings could influence
the impact of the pet on the person’s health.  Other factors such as gender and marital status may
play a role. For example, one study found that dog ownership was associated with lower rates of
depression among women, but not men, and among single individuals but not married people.  So,
while pet ownership might have a positive impact on well-being for some people, it doesn’t affect
everyone the same way.[16]

Children’s Emotional Development

When a child has no brothers or sisters, research shows that pets help children develop greater
empathy, higher self-esteem, and increased participation in social and physical activities. [6]

The Challenges of Measuring the Positive Impact of Pets

The effect of human-animal interaction on health is not fully understood because it is difficult to
study. Most evidence on the benefits of having a pet comes from surveys of current health, but that
means it is impossible to know if a person is in good health because she has a pet or if he is more
likely to get a pet because he is in good health. Someone whose health is poor may decide he does
not have the time or energy to care for a pet. The German study described above suggests that
having a pet for a longer period of time is more beneficial to your health; but it is also possible that
people with pets have less time to spare to go to the doctor or are less concerned about their own
health, especially minor ailments.

In addition, people who love their pets are likely to want to let researchers know that their pets help
improve their lives. This could bias the study results.

Another issue is how the word “pet” is defined. Does having a goldfish confer the same health
benefits as having a golden retriever? Most pet studies were of people who had a dog or a cat,
making it difficult to draw conclusions about health benefits of birds, lizards, fish, or other pets. How
much time the person spends with his or her pet could be strongly influenced by the type of pet and
in turn could influence the health benefits of having a pet. [17]

Temporary Companions
Researchers have also used animals to temporarily provide companionship to children with health or
mental health problems, or elderly people who may not have the energy or resources for a live-in
pet. While these studies do not always have consistent results, some positive findings of interacting
with a therapy dog include reduced levels of pain and anxiety among hospitalized children and
adults, as well as increased focus and interaction among children with autism and other
developmental disorders. In nursing home settings, interaction with visiting dogs has led to more
social behaviors, more interaction among residents, and less loneliness. [18]

While research on animal-assisted interaction and therapy is not always consistent and is often done
with small groups of participants, there is some evidence that interaction with a companion animal
even for a short time might have a range of benefits