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A Psychologist Explores The Transformative Power Of Pets On Mental Health
There is scientific evidence that owning a pet enhances your mental health, but there's no denying ... [+] that pets can be demanding. Here's how to maximize the benefits of pet ownership.
gettyPet ownership is booming. A recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association revealed that close to 90 million U.S. Households now own pets. This means that there are now far more households in the U.S. That own pets than those that don't.
The growing acceptance of pet ownership can be attributed, in part, to the maturation of the pet industry. Today, there are a number of innovative businesses that are dedicated to making pet ownership easier, even for individuals with busy lifestyles – think online pet supply stores and in-house veterinary services.
With this as context, here are two ways your pet can help you safeguard your mental health.
1. Taking Care of a Pet Can Instill a Sense of Purpose, Which Is Crucial to Well-BeingMost people think well-being has to do with happiness and the absence of physical and mental health illness. However, a 2020 paper published in the journal Health and Quality of Life Outcomes that analyzed data from 21 countries indicates that well-being is rooted in various factors, including having a sense of purpose in life.
This is where your pet can help.
A 2018 study that qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the effects of pet ownership on people living with a mental health condition found that participants who reported losing their sense of purpose following their diagnosis felt significantly more in control of the direction of their lives after they brought a pet home. Some even went as far as saying that their pet gave them a reason to live.
"Pets increase feelings of social support, a sense of meaning and improve their owners' lifestyles by increasing physical activity and adding structure to daily routines," affirms Dr. Edgar Hernandez of Talkiatry, a psychiatric practice that espouses the therapeutic benefits of pets.
According to Dr. Hernandez, pets are particularly effective in treating and managing conditions such as:
Then, there's the question of what type of pet benefits humans the most in terms of mental health. Here is what Dr. Zach Mills of The Vets — a veterinary care service focused on reducing the stress and anxiety associated with owning a pet by delivering pet care directly to clients' homes — said when asked about the types of animals that can buffer our mental and emotional health:
"The human-animal bond can extend to any number of animals, and different animals and different people will have different responses. There are also people who identify with one species of animal more than another. The individual results that people get can vary. Most of the studies around the benefits of the human-animal bond are done on dogs and horses, but any animal and human can potentially build a beneficial bond."
These expert insights shed light on the profound impact of the human-animal bond. It is no wonder that healthcare professionals often recommend pet ownership. In fact, 22% of current pet owners received such recommendations, according to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute.
2. Your Pet Can Help You Exercise and Stay Active, Which Is a Proven Strategy to Improve Your Mental HealthThere are aspects of owning a pet that will require you to step outside your home. For instance, most breeds of dogs need outdoor exercise to be healthy.
"Often, people will see an increased level of physical activity when they own pets, and this activity can lead to overall improved physical and psychological health," explains Dr. Mills.
A 2023 umbrella review of 97 systematic reviews with meta-analyses revealed that exercise may be up to 1.5 times more effective in reducing symptoms of common mental health conditions compared to traditional methods of treatment.
The lead author of the review, Dr. Ben Singh of the University of South Australia explained in an interview, "We found that doing 150 minutes each week of various types of physical activity – such as brisk walking, lifting weights and yoga – significantly reduces depression, anxiety and psychological distress, compared to usual care, such as medications."
Before getting a pet to improve your mental health via exercise, confirm that your exercise needs, and those of your soon-to-be pet, are in alignment. While most dogs need regular walks to be healthy, there are differences in how much exercise different breeds can tolerate.
Often, the best way to tackle mental health issues is to pair traditional treatment practices (medication or therapy) with unconventional methods like pet ownership.
Psychiatrist Dr. Hernandez agrees. He says,"While pet ownership has positive psychological benefits, it does not replace other forms of treatment that may be necessary to address a specific mental health condition. I believe a holistic approach to treatment that includes pet ownership may be the most effective and rewarding for a patient."
Your Guide To The Best Dogs For Seniors
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Dog AgeDogs can live up to 14 years (some even longer) and are considered seniors at age 7. Smaller dogs typically have longer lifespans than larger dogs.
Puppies are not a great choice for most seniors because they need to be housebroken and can be destructive, requiring continuous monitoring. "Puppies are very energetic, and it can be difficult for an older person who is sedentary or who has health issues to keep up with one," says Jill Rappaport, a professional animal advocate, network journalist and six-time winner of the Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "Senior pets would rather sleep on the couch than eat it, so they're a better match," she adds.
"My husband and I are seniors, and we just adopted an 8-year-old toy Australian shepherd named Addie, and she has definitely helped improve our mental and physical health," says Barbara Castleman, a media relations manager for Grey Muzzle, a group that provides grants to organizations that help older dogs. "Like most people who have adopted senior dogs, we'd do it again in a heartbeat. After all, love is ageless."
For seniors in their late 70s or 80s, Rappaport says middle-aged dogs are more appropriate than senior dogs. "Super-senior dogs have many of the same health issues as humans," she says. "Their eyes and ears may start to fail, and they can have diseases that can be overwhelming for both the pet and the person. Instead, I recommend a big dog between 5 and 7 years of age for this age group—or a little dog between 8 and 10 years."
Rappoport says it's also important to think about the lifespan of a dog when you're considering adopting one. If you're in your 80s now and you adopt a young dog, there's a good chance the dog could outlive you, so it's important to make arrangements for your pet to be cared for by someone you trust.
Energy LevelSome dogs, such as herding breeds like the border collie and German shepherd and sporting dogs like the Labrador retriever and golden retriever, need to be tired out if you want them to behave well at home. You also need to train your dog to walk properly on a leash and return to you if let off the leash. If you're not someone who is keen on taking long daily walks with your dog or taking your pet to a dog park to run and play with other dogs, then consider getting a small or more sedentary dog like a bulldog that will be happy staying at home with you.
SizeSmall dogs (between 8 and 20 pounds when fully grown) are typically better for seniors, says Rappoport. It can be difficult for older adults to walk a strong older dog on a leash or lift a 50-pound dog if it needs help getting into a car or up a flight of stairs.
Great small breeds to consider include:
Rescue mixes of these breeds and cross-breeding mixes like Cavapoos (Cavalier King Charles spaniel and miniature poodle) and puggles (pug and beagle) are also ideal.
MaintenanceSome dogs like poodles, Yorkshire terriers and "doodles" (mixes of poodles and other breeds) are less likely to shed than others (like Labrador retrievers, which have double coats). These so-called hypoallergenic dogs can reduce the need for frequent vacuuming, as well as allergy symptoms in people who are allergic to dogs. Be aware, though, that many small dogs like Yorkshire terriers and miniature poodles need professional grooming to clip their fur or hair, which is an additional expense to consider.
TemperamentDogs, in general, are loving and affectionate animals that bond easily with their human companions. But small breeds can be yappy. Terriers are known for not getting along well with other dogs. Some breeds like Doberman pinschers, rottweilers and pit bulls can be aggressive, which seniors should avoid. And other dogs like pugs can be difficult to train.
It's important to research personality quirks of breeds you're considering to make sure your dog will have a temperament you enjoy. You can learn more about breed characteristics on the American Kennel Club's (AKC) website.
The Cost of Owning a DogThe initial cost of acquiring a dog and all the stuff you need to care for them averages around $2,100, according to the AKC. (The cost will likely be quite a bit higher if you purchase a purebred dog from a breeder.) From that point forward, expect to spend about $2,500 a year on vet bills, food, grooming, toys, supplies and fees for pet sitters. Smaller dogs tend to cost a bit less—about $1,831 a year.
You May Also Be Interested In Bestselling Dog Toys On AmazonEven if you want a purebred dog, know that you may be able to find one at a local shelter or a breed-specific rescue organization, says Rappaport. Avoid pet stores and only buy from reputable breeders that aren't puppy mills (unethical breeders that overbreed females and raise puppies in unhealthy conditions). Common red flags include a breeder's hesitance to have you visit their facility and boasting about credentials like USDA approval (which doesn't exist—you can be USDA licensed but not approved).
Man With A Dog Has An Odd Comeback For Anyone Who Says He's Not A 'Real Dad'
Man on porch with dog
Are pet parents real parents? This man on TikTok says yes — and his reasoning is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser.
Dog owner Johnny recently sparked an important conversation about pet parenting on his TikTok page. He compared the bond between him and his dog to that of a parent and a child in one of his videos, which resonated with many viewers. It's an age-old debate of whether pet owners can be considered 'parents,' and his novel take on the subject might be valid!
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"To anyone who thinks I'm not a real dad because I only have a dog and no human children, well guess what?" Jonny said. He explained that his dog was "acting weird a couple of months ago," so he took her to a vet to figure out how to resolve her behavior.
"Guess what they ended up prescribing her? Prozac," he said.
Prozac is a medication used to treat depression and anxiety — in both humans and dogs! As a caring dog owner, Jonny can't help but feel partially responsible for his pup's condition.
"That's right. I raised this dog for ten years and she needs antidepressants. Tell me that's not some real father-daughter s---," he finished. According to a 2022 report from the American Kennel Club, antidepressants have been recently used for dogs to treat phobias, separation anxiety, behavioral problems, and much more. After his dog had been prescribed Prozac, he made light of the situation with some dark humor while illustrating a deeper issue.
Parents who cause their children mental health problems should certainly not be applauded. However, an owner caring enough to check up on their dog's mental health probably didn't directly cause her issues. Instead, it seems to be a humorous way to call attention to a topic as serious as familial trauma, which resonated with many people in the comments.
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Some commended Jonny for his dedicated pet parenting, while others reflected on their relationships with their own parents."The fact that you're sitting near her means you're doing better than 70% of the dads out there," one user commented.
jonny_ve's dog
Photo: @jonny_ve / TikTok
Several other users chimed in as well, reminding Jonny that he's not doing half-bad as a dog parent. People even shared that they didn't even have the privilege of having a dad who took them to the doctor when they weren't feeling well.
"My dad never took me to the [doctor] and he doesn't know anything about me," one user commented. "My dad wouldn't even take me to a [doctor] so you're good," another added.
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Just like humans, pets can struggle with mental health issues.The Central California SPCA published a 2019 article detailing ways you can help calm a dog with anxiety. They recommended things from physical activity, massages, and even musical therapy.
Physical activity is also a great way to help your dog combat depression. Though, not all issues are so easily resolved, like in Jonny's case, who recognized different behavior from his dog for months on end. It's a sobering reminder of the emotional depth of our furry companions and the responsibility that pet owners undertake.
As for humans who inherit mental health issues due to poor parenting, there's no easy way to navigate or solve those issues. But the more future parents understand the ramifications, the less these problems will spring up in the next generation of children.
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Ethan Cotler is a writer and frequent contributor to YourTango living in Boston. His writing covers entertainment, news, and human interest stories.
This article originally appeared on YourTango
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