WELLBEING

The surprising health benefits of owning a pet

29 August, 2024 . 0

From stress relief to fostering connections, pets are more than just cute companions. Here’s why they might be the key to a healthier, happier life.

People crave social interaction and, for many of us, relationships extend to creatures great and small.

Take a quick scroll through social media and you will see that many celebs, influencers and everyday people have figured out the magic of having a pet sidekick.

Liam Hemsworth can’t resist sharing cute pics of his canine pal Dora.

Celebrity vet Dr Chris Brown has documented how his heart was stolen by Buzzy, a shelter pup now living the good life with him and his cat Cricket.

And Socceroos great Tim Cahill has become a passionate ambassador for greyhound adoption after falling head over heels for greyhound Luna Moana.

The strong link we have to animals will not surprise many Australians, with 69 per cent of households having at least one animal, according to Animal Medicines Australia’s 2022 Pets in Australia survey.

This includes 6.3 million dogs, 5.3 million cats, 11.2 million fish, 3.9 million birds, 901,000 small mammals and 538,000 reptiles.

Pet bond perks

According to CQUniversity psychology professor Tania Signal, there are significant benefits to having a pet.

“There are certainly physical benefits, particularly for dog owners, as you tend to take them out for walks,” she says.

“There’s also the social aspect, as when you take your dog for a walk, people say hello and make conversation. So, it can really help create a buffer from social isolation and loneliness.”

There’s also plenty of evidence that pets can relieve stress, improve heart health, lower cholesterol and foster empathy in children.

One study even found pet owners were likelier to meet new people in their neighbourhood.

In fact, pets were more of a local connector than children’s schools or community events.

Know the commitment

While having a pet has upsides, it’s not as simple as getting one and you will be happier.

Dr Mia Cobb, a research fellow at the Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne, says it’s essential to realise animals require attention and time, with owners “committing to training and regular exercise, like playing or walks”, which some people may find draining.

There will also be costs.

Think vet check-ups, food supplies, medicines and items such as pet beds, dog jackets, fences and fish tanks.

Dr Cobb says anyone considering getting a pet needs to do their research to reap the benefits of animal companionship.

“It’s about getting the right match for your circumstances, resources and activity levels,” she says.

“An animal’s needs will vary depending on who they are. The species and breed give an indication, but all animals are individuals.

“Talking specifically about dogs, you can’t guarantee that because you’re getting a labrador, for example, it’s going to have a lower activity level than a kelpie.

“If you’re selecting a puppy, try to meet the parents to get an indication of what your new family member might be like.”

Dr Cobb adds people can also consider adopting animals from a shelter or foster home.

Often these animals are older, so you can get a sense of their adult personality.

She says another important thing people need to be aware of is creating healthy attachments so that “neither person or animals rely on each other too much”.

Healthy attachments mean that people give animals what they need in terms of both physical and mental wellbeing, and support their animals to cope when they need to be separated from them.

More on the power of pets:

Written by Alex White.