Most grownups think pet ownership has psychological health advantages

Results of a just recently launched survey discovered that 86% of U.S. grownups think pet ownership has a favorable effect on their psychological health.

According to a release provided by the American Psychiatric Association, 86% of participants concurred that family pets are crucial to wellness, with dog owners (87%) and cat owners (86%) similarly most likely to concur. A somewhat greater bulk (88%) of animal owners said they consider their family pets a part of their family.

Among the participants to the Healthy Minds Monthly Poll, which was performed by Morning Consult amongst a sample of 2,200 U.S. grownups from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12, 50% said they had dogs, 35% said they had cats, while 31% revealed they were not pet owners. Meanwhile, 3% of survey participants determined ownership of fish, birds, turtles and more.

“People recognize that there is something special about bonds between humans and their pets,” APA President Rebecca Brendel, MD, JD, said in the release. “The animals we bring into our lives and our families play many roles from non-judgmental companions that we love to key partners in reducing our stress and anxiety.”

U.S. grownups who concurred that family pets favorably affect their psychological health pointed out advantages of having furry good friends around, stating they help in reducing tension and stress and anxiety (69%), supply genuine love and assistance (69%), deal friendship (69%), supply a soothing existence (66%) and hold true good friends (63%).

When queried on pet-related stress factors, owners communicated they were most anxious about animal aging or death (71%) in addition to health (66%), along with care throughout travel (56%) and health-related costs (58%). Conversely, participants who did not own family pets mentioned they were more than likely not to own one due to financial resources (29%) or time for appropriate care (22%). Approximately 11% of those surveyed revealed they were grieving a departed animal.

“The benefits of pet ownership to many Americans seem to outweigh the stressors,” APA CEO and medical director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, said in the release. “If pets are not an option for your family, but you are seeking that connection, there are many opportunities to volunteer with animals that may also benefit your life.”

Building on the favorable nature of pet interaction, the APA and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are preparing a partnership to promote its advantages with a social networks campaign called #Paws4MentalHealth. On March 29 at 1 p.m. (ET), the companies are preparing to hold a joint Twitter chat about family pets and psychological health including leaders from each. In addition, a social media toolkit will be available online for the general public to promote their family pets throughout all platforms.

“Veterinarians know first-hand the tremendously good impact pets can have on our lives and on our mental well-being,” AVMA President Lori Teller, DVM, said in a different release. “We are so pleased to partner with APA on this unique opportunity to spread this positive message.”