Possession of a pet does not automatically make a person happier or healthier, and sometimes even indicates underlying psychological issues.
Owners of furry friends are more likely to suffer from loneliness / © Credits
Researchers from the University of Basel analyzed data from 2328 adults to examine the popular belief about the therapeutic effects of pets on our bodies. The results were quite unexpected, as pet owners did not show better physical or mental health indicators compared to those who live without furry companions.
This is reported by Earth.com.
Who Gets Pets and How They Affect Health
Statistics indicated that pet owners are generally 4 years younger than others and are more often women living in rural areas. Additionally, they are less likely to have higher education and smoke approximately 0.19 more cigarettes per day, which amounts to an extra 70 cigarettes annually.
Even after accounting for differences in age and income, scientists found no health benefits from owning a pet. The number of doctor visits, life satisfaction levels, and daily social support were identical in both groups.
Particularly intriguing was the finding that individuals seeking the most emotional support from their pets actually experienced greater loneliness. The psychological state of these individuals turned out to be somewhat worse, completely debunking the classic myth of furry saviors from depression.
Dogs Lead, Fish Disappoint
The study confirmed that dogs rank first among all animals in their ability to form a strong emotional bond with their owner. Men who had never been married and women, regardless of their marital status, reported a higher level of attachment to their pets compared to married men.
Conversely, interaction with less interactive creatures showed different, sometimes even negative, psychological outcomes. Scientists observed that regular contact with fish, reptiles, or insects was often associated with a decrease in the owners’ overall psychological well-being.
Cause or Effect
Since the survey was conducted only once, it is extremely difficult for specialists to determine the root cause of these unexpected findings. It is possible that owning a pet indeed leads to the development of poorer habits, such as an increase in the number of cigarettes smoked.
However, the authors themselves lean towards another explanation, which they call the selection effect. They hypothesize that individuals with poorer mental health or those who are constantly under stress are more likely to acquire a pet for solace.
Experts also caution against hasty conclusions, as all 2328 participants resided exclusively in Switzerland, so these trends might differ in other countries. Nevertheless, simply having a pet’s passport does not guarantee any magical improvements in your well-being.
“Our findings suggest that simple pet ownership is not associated with better health or well-being; rather, people’s relationships with their pets are far more complex than a simple yes or no answer,” the study’s authors concluded.
We remind you that dog behavior is often misinterpreted – from a “guilty” look to sudden “zoomies.” An expert explained what actually lies behind the most common habits of our beloved pets.
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