If you are considering whether you need a furry companion, keep in mind that animals can positively affect your well-being, in addition to boosting your mood. We explain the benefits they bring. Pets Heal the Heart and Lower Cholesterol People get pets for companionship, joy, comfort, or the desire to care for someone. However, the influence of pets extends beyond emotional support; they affect physical and mental fortitude. Animals and Stress The key value lies in the psycho-emotional area. According to some data, contact with animals reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and blood pressure, helps overcome loneliness, enhances the sense of social support, and improves mood. In a small study involving 33 adults (pet owners and non-owners), scientists measured salivary cortisol levels before and after interacting with a dog. Comparing direct interaction with watching a movie, researchers noted a significant drop in cortisol after contact with the animal. The most pronounced result was seen in participants without a pet. Another study found statistically significantly lower levels of cortisol and total cholesterol in elderly people who had a companion dog compared to those who did not. As for cats, some research has shown that interaction with them increases positive emotions, lowers heart rate, and blood pressure. Benefits for the Heart and Blood Vessels The effect of pets on the cardiovascular system is one of the most thoroughly studied and scientifically proven areas of health benefit. In 2013, the American Heart Association published a scientific statement suggesting that owning pets, especially dogs, likely reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and increases longevity among patients with heart conditions. Dogs: Physical Activity and Longevity The most compelling evidence of cardiovascular benefits is associated specifically with dog ownership, mainly due to the increase in physical activity. Cohort studies in Sweden showed that among patients who had suffered a heart attack or stroke, having a dog was associated with a lower risk of death (for single owners) compared to those without a dog. Cats: Anti-stress Effect The influence of cats is less related to physical activity but is supported by their anti-stress and cardioprotective effects. A large, twenty-year study demonstrated that cat owners had a lower risk of dying from a heart attack compared to people who had never owned cats. This effect is explained by the cats’ ability to stabilize the nervous system, lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, thereby providing powerful cardioprotection. It is important to understand that most research in this area is observational. It shows a correlation rather than direct causation. There is an issue of reversed causality: perhaps healthier and more active people are more likely to get pets. Nevertheless, the abundance of positive changes (biochemical, physiological, and behavioral) suggests that pets can indeed be an element of a healthy lifestyle. Social and Emotional Well-being From a psychological and physiological perspective, it is important for a person to feel a strong emotional connection. Many find such attachment in interacting with pets. Dogs and cats provide a feeling of unconditional acceptance and security, helping one feel needed and important. When a pet is happy to see you return home or greets you in the morning, it gives meaning and warmth to the day. Attachment to a pet can reduce anxiety. Scientists note that interacting with pets promotes the production of oxytocin—the hormone responsible for feelings of trust, calmness, and social bonding. Even brief eye contact with a dog can increase this hormone level in both the person and the animal. When a person cares for a pet, their day gains more structure. Routine activities (feeding, walks, play) set the pace and help maintain stability. This is especially relevant for lonely people and those experiencing depression. The need to act for another living being strengthens the sense of duty, reduces feelings of isolation, and preserves mental balance. A study involving nearly eight thousand older adults in the UK showed that owning a pet can be a factor helping to maintain cognitive resilience. Among single participants, pet ownership was associated with a slower decline in memory and verbal fluency scores compared to lonely individuals without animals. It is important to remember that caring for a pet requires time, effort, and money, so the positive outcome depends on individual circumstances. One should not get, rescue, or buy a pet solely to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease: a pet is, first and foremost, a living creature that needs attention and care, and should not be assigned the function of a “remedy.” Key Takeaways In addition to positive emotions, pets can bring health benefits. Interaction with them lowers stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, and improves mood and the sense of social support. Owning a dog increases physical activity and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in lonely people and those who have survived a heart attack or stroke. Cats are calming and stabilize blood pressure. Pets provide a feeling of acceptance and security, stimulate oxytocin production, help structure the day, and maintain mental balance, and in older adults, they slow the decline of memory and cognitive functions. It is crucial to remember that an animal is, first and foremost, a living being requiring care, not a means of healing.
About the Author
