After a long and tiring day, there’s nothing quite like being greeted by a wagging tail or happy purr. The comfort pets bring isn’t just emotional–it’s measurable. According to the American Pet Products Association, approximately 66% of households in the United States own a pet, totaling about 86.9 million households reaping the benefits that come with pet ownership. Beyond companionship, pets play a measurable role in improving humans’ physical and mental health.
During a talk given at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School clinical assistant professor Beth Frates and Megan Mueller, associate professor of human-animal interaction at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, cited research that has shown that dog owners are more likely to meet the medically recommended amount of physical exercise–150 minutes. Frates explained that meeting those guidelines can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides (a fat found in the bloodstream). Regular exercise also reduces obesity and improves sleep quality.
The benefits of pet ownership don’t stop at physical well-being: The furry friends have a powerful impact on our minds and emotions, too. They bring out the best in their human counterparts. “Pets provide a powerful sense of purpose—a routine and a responsibility to care for another living creature,” Mueller said. “That can provide a driving force for getting someone out of bed in the morning.” In an edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly Poll, 86% respondents who were pet owners said that their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health. These respondents cited several essential benefits of pets, helping to reduce stress and anxiety (69%), providing unconditional love and support (69%), and providing a calming presence (66%). 63% said they saw their pets as true friends.
Perhaps the most important benefit of pet ownership: The American Heart Association found that having pets, whether furry or not, decreases a person’s mortality rate by a staggering 24%, meaning it reduces the likelihood of dying from any cause. In short, pets don’t just brighten our lives–they help us live healthier and longer ones.
