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Why Having a Pet May Boost Your Health

Surprisingly, having a pet isn’t just about the companionship only a furry, feathered, or scaled friend can provide—it’s also about holistic health care. For many people, especially those dealing with mental health challenges or learning to recover from addiction, animal pals offer measurable benefits across mind, body, and spirit. Curious about what they are? Let’s take a closer look.

How Pets Benefit Your Mental Health

Help Guide states that “pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, and encourage exercise and playfulness.” Simply petting a dog or cat has been shown to lower cortisol levels—a stress hormone—and increase serotonin and oxytocin—neurochemicals that promote relaxation, bonding, and emotional stability. 

This calming effect has been widely studied and endorsed by institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For example, an NIH-sponsored study found that pet owners exhibited fewer signs of depression and reported greater emotional resilience than non-owners. 

However, we mean what we say about furry, feathered, or scaled creature companions! “A rabbit could be ideal if you’re allergic to other animals or have limited space but still want a furry friend to snuggle with,” Help Guide adds. “Birds can encourage social interaction and help keep your mind sharp if you’re an older adult. Snakes, lizards, and other reptiles can make for exotic companions. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower your pulse rate.”

The Role of Pets in Addiction Recovery

When you’re managing substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder after treatment, pets provide a vital structure and emotional anchor. They offer a nonjudgmental source of affection and consistency—benefits are crucial for people relearning how to manage emotions and stress without turning to substances. 

In a 2024 article for the American Psychiatric Association, organization president Petros Levounis indicated that “for people who do enjoy the company of animals, they can be a source of companionship, comfort, love, and friendship,” he said. “I routinely encourage adoption of a pet to my patients who struggle with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or technology. We’re also starting to see more and more research around the role that animals can play in recovery from depression and other psychiatric disorders.”

Companion animals also help reduce isolation. Walking a dog or visiting a pet-friendly park can lead to more frequent interactions with neighbors or strangers, increasing your sense of community and belonging—critical components of long-term recovery and emotional wellness.

Additionally, caring for a pet encourages accountability. Feeding, grooming, and exercising a pet require daily action, which reinforces a sense of responsibility and routine. This is particularly important during early recovery, when structure and positive daily habits are essential.

Your Physical Health Improves, Too

Dog owners, for instance, are more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels compared to non-owners, largely because dogs require regular walks and outdoor activity. This boosts cardiovascular fitness and contributes to lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of obesity.

In a review published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, researchers also found that dog ownership was associated with a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 31% reduced risk of death due to heart-related causes. 

Does this mean people who have other types of animals miss out on these benefits? Not at all! UC Davis Health indicates that “While they love to bond with us, both you and your pet can benefit from the affection you give each other. So whether it’s a long walk or a 5-minute goodbye cuddle, both can be good for your heart in the long run.”

Other Ways to Enjoy Animal Friends

If owning a pet isn’t possible due to housing, allergies, financial limitations, or lifestyle factors, there are still plenty of meaningful ways to connect.

  • Volunteer at a local shelter or humane society. Walk dogs, socialize cats, or help with critical care while enjoying the emotional benefits of animal interaction.
  • Offer to pet-sit for friends or neighbors. Caring for someone else’s pet, even for a short time, provides joy and companionship without long-term commitment.
  • Visit dog parks with a friend. Spend time outdoors and interact with pets socially, even if they’re not your own.
  • Attend pet-friendly community events. Farmers’ markets, outdoor concerts, and festivals often welcome pets, offering casual ways to enjoy their presence.

You might also consider animal-assisted therapy, which often includes horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs—and even cows!

Find More Healthy Solutions at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire for More Help

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