You love your fur baby. And science says that the unconditional love of a pet provides more than just companionship. Studies have found that pets can reduce stress, protect the brain from cognitive decline, and much more.
Interacting With Dogs Offers Decreased Stress and Increased Concentration
A 2024 study used electroencephalogram tests, or EEGs, to measure participants’ brain waves while they interacted with a dog. Researchers found that when study participants engaged in activities such as playing and walking with a dog, their brains showed stronger alpha-band oscillations, which are typically associated with relaxation and stability. Alpha wave activity is also connected to enhanced memory and decreased mental stress. Grooming and gently massaging a dog were found to strengthen beta-band oscillations, which are linked to increased attention and concentration. Additionally, after interacting with a dog, whether walking it or grooming it, participants reported significant reductions in feelings of depression, stress, and fatigue.1
Cat Owners Report Better Psychological Health
In an Australian study, cat owners said they felt happier and more confident compared to responses by people without pets. People with cats also reported less nervousness than people without pets. Kitty owners noted that they sleep better, are able to focus, and are better able to address problems in their lives thanks to their furry friends.2
Dogs Help Kids With ADHD Focus
Another study discovered that dogs can significantly aid in improving the focus of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this research, two groups of children diagnosed with ADHD participated in 12-week group therapy sessions. One group read to a therapy dog for 30 minutes once a week, while the other group read to dog-like puppets. The children who interacted with the actual dogs demonstrated enhanced social skills, including increased sharing, cooperation, and volunteering, and exhibited fewer behavioral issues.3
Guinea Pigs Lowered Anxiety in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Research also has shown that children with autism spectrum disorder experience more calmness when interacting with guinea pigs in the classroom. During a supervised 10-minute group play session with the animals, the children exhibited reduced anxiety levels. Additionally, they engaged more effectively with their peers and showed improved social interactions. The researchers believe that the guinea pigs provided a sense of unconditional acceptance, serving as a soothing influence for the children.3
Pet Ownership May Reduce Brain Aging by Up to 15 Years
Pet ownership offers numerous benefits to social, emotional, and physical well-being, which in turn may improve cognitive functions. Researchers examined 95 participants aged 20–74, including 56 pet owners and 39 non-pet owners, and found that pet owners, particularly dog owners, exhibited higher cognitive functioning and larger brain structures. Cognitive enhancements were noted in processing speed, attentional orienting, and episodic memory.
Pet ownership even was shown to potentially reduce brain aging by up to 15 years. Additionally, owning multiple pets was found to be more beneficial for brain health in older adults compared to owning fewer or no pets. These results suggest that pet ownership, especially of dogs, could contribute to improved cognitive performance throughout an adult’s life, potentially offering protection against cognitive decline as we age.4
Fish and Reptiles Help People Relax
Studies show that non-fur babies also have a positive impact on people! A Purdue researcher found that Alzheimer’s patients who lived in nursing homes with fish tanks not only appeared to be more alert and relaxed, but they also ate more food and were less likely to exhibit negative behaviors such as wandering and yelling.5 And for people with allergies or disabilities that would make it difficult to care for an active animal, owning a reptile can yield the benefits of companionship and caring for another creature that a furry pet offers.6
While any animal lover will tell you that snuggling with their pet makes a bad day better, scientific research on the benefits of pet ownership is important because it deepens our understanding of how pets contribute to humans’ health. Psychological studies can help animal-related healthcare practices, like animal therapy, be more effective. Insights from animal-human studies can influence public policies and urban planning as well, leading to more pet-friendly environments and regulations. Additionally, recognizing these benefits can make things better for animals, by promoting better care for pets and higher adoption rates for homeless animals.
If you’d like to explore the intricate dynamics of interactions between animals and humans, earning a degree in psychology can equip you with the foundational knowledge and research skills you need. Through studies in psychological inquiries, cognitive psychology, and applied psychology, a psychology degree can prepare you to analyze how and why pets influence human mental health, social behavior, and physiological states. By applying psychological theories and methodologies, you could conduct empirical research to investigate the therapeutic effects of pets, examine the psychological benefits of pet ownership, and potentially develop interventions that leverage these relationships to enhance human and animal well-being.
Walden University is an accredited university that offers an online bachelor’s degree in psychology and an online master’s degree in psychology. Walden’s BS in Psychology program is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in psychology alongside a versatile set of professional skills. Delve into contemporary psychology theories, concepts, and research as you learn to present evidence-based information effectively to support your arguments. Whether your career aspirations lie in counseling or another area within the expansive field of psychology, Walden’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology program is designed to guide you toward achieving your professional objectives.
Walden’s MS in Psychology program equips you to make significant contributions in nonclinical roles or to prepare for doctoral studies. This online degree program extends beyond traditional psychological theories and research, emphasizing the development of versatile professional skills such as effective written communication, social awareness, cross-cultural competence, and evidence-based decision-making. These valuable skills are integral parts of the curriculum, preparing you for a broad range of professional environments. Additionally, you can choose a specialization to focus your studies on a particular area of interest, such as Applied Psychology, Digital Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Psychology, and more. With an online psychology degree from Walden, you can apply psychological theory and research to real-world questions.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering BS in Psychology and MS in Psychology degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
1Source: www.cnn.com/2024/03/13/health/playing-with-dogs-affects-brain-waves-study-wellness/index.html
2Source: greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_science_backed_benefits_of_being_a_cat_lover
3Source: newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
4Source: www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.953889/full
5Source: www.purdue.edu/uns/html4ever/1999/990628.Edwards.fish.html
6Source: blog.disabilitycanhappen.org/four-ways-reptiles-can-improve-your-mental-health-2
Note on Licensure: The BS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.
Note on Licensure: The MS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.