The Psychological Effects of Pets on People

If you're thinking of getting a pet such as a dog or cat and have considered all it will take to care for it, you should also consider how having this pet will effect you psychologically. Pets can have a profound effect on the psyche, both positive and negative depending on the person. Before you head to the pet store to pick up a new companion, learn about what that can entail for you mentally.

  1. Relaxation

    • One psychological benefit of your furry friend is relaxation. Pets can help soothe you during times of stress and just petting your animal can be a relaxing and soothing activity for you both. Even the act of watching your pet explore or go about its day-to-day activities can ease distress. According to the National Center For Infectious Diseases, pets can help lower your blood pressure, which is a good indicator of relaxation, along with being a benefit to your physical health.

    Happiness

    • Pets can increase your happiness and overall mental health. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, pets can comfort and help to ward off depression or loneliness. An example the Merck Manual gives is one study that showed that older women who had pets tested better on mental health exams. This has also been found to ring true for younger single women as well.

    Stress

    • While pets can relax you mentally, they can also increase stress levels. This is often the case in individuals who buy a pet unprepared. These people come to realize the responsibility of owning a pet and having something depend on them. Instead of finding the animal a new home these people can allow themselves to grow stressed with the responsibility of caring for an animal, which creates a poor environment for both the owner and pet. Even if you are ready, pets can cause stress, especially ones that are poorly trained such as a cat that claws furniture or a dog that isn't house trained.

    Confidence

    • Owning a pet can increase your social interaction with others and thus give you more confidence in social situations. When people have pets they often are more comfortable speaking with other pet owners they might meet, such as talking with a fellow dog owner in a local dog park. Having the common bond of pet ownership can make interactions with these strangers less intimidating. Through these added social interactions a person can acquire confidence and higher self-esteem and even meet some lasting friends.