How Pets Boost Mental Health (and Why It’s More Than Just Cuddles)
We already know pets are adorable, but did you know they can actually improve your mental health? Science says yes — and pet parents everywhere agree. From lowering anxiety to helping us feel less alone, our four-legged sidekicks do a lot more than just sit, stay, and fetch.
Let’s explore how pets support mental wellness, what the research says, and how to know if adding a pet to your life might be the next best move for your mind, heart, and home.
1. Pets Can Literally Rewire Your Brain (No Joke)
Touching or interacting with a pet increases serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters that help regulate mood, motivation, and feelings of happiness. A 2019 review published in Frontiers in Psychology found that animal-assisted therapy significantly reduced anxiety and increased emotional resilience in both adults and children. Plus, just 10 minutes of petting a dog or cat has been shown to reduce cortisol, the primary stress hormone. That’s as effective as some forms of meditation.
2. Loneliness Isn’t Just Sad — It’s Harmful. Pets Help.
Loneliness is now considered a public health issue. It’s been linked to everything from depression to heart disease. A study in BMC Psychiatry (2020) showed that pet ownership reduced feelings of loneliness and helped individuals feel more connected during periods of social isolation (like, say, a pandemic).
Pets don’t replace human connection — but they do offer constant companionship, unconditional love, and emotional regulation. For many, their pet is their person.
3. Routine Builds Resilience
Mental health thrives with stability. And caring for a pet forces structure into the day: wake up, feed them, go for a walk, snuggle, repeat. According to the American Psychological Association, daily routines can ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Pets build these routines naturally — and joyfully.
4. The Oxytocin Loop (AKA the Cuddle Effect)
Making eye contact with your dog or gently petting them causes a spike in oxytocin — also known as the “love hormone.” It’s the same hormone that helps mothers bond with their babies and partners bond with each other. A 2015 Science study found that both humans and dogs experienced oxytocin surges after just five minutes of affectionate interaction. So yes — the “cuddle effect” is absolutely real.
5. Pets Make You Move (And That’s Half the Battle)
Exercise is medicine — and dogs are basically furry personal trainers. The American Heart Association found that dog owners walk 22 more minutes per day than non-dog owners, and are more likely to meet physical activity goals, leading to lower blood pressure and stress levels.
Bonus: Regular movement also boosts endorphins, improves sleep, and reduces depressive symptoms.
6. Pets Spark Connection
For folks who struggle with social anxiety, depression, or just feel isolated, pets can help ease the discomfort of social interaction. They create reasons to talk to strangers, build community, and feel seen. According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 74% of pet owners said their pet improved their mental health, and nearly 60% reported stronger relationships with other people as a result of pet ownership.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Pets don’t just make life sweeter. They actively support your brain, body, and heart. They’re companions, motivators, therapists, and emotional anchors. And for many people, they’re part of the reason they’ve made it through tough seasons.
When you open your home to a (rescue) pet, you’re not just helping them & saving a life — you’re helping yourself too.
🐾 3 Nonprofits That Support Mental Health + Pets
One Tail at a Time (Chicago-based)
You already know and love OTAT. While not a mental health org per se, their work directly impacts emotional wellness through rescue, fostering, and community support.
Website: https://www.onetail.org
Mission: Building a No-Kill Chicago through rescue, adoption, and community programs
2. The Trevor Project
Supports LGBTQIA+ youth with 24/7 mental health resources.
Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Mission: Ending suicide among LGBTQ young people
3. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Provides nationwide education, advocacy, and support groups for mental health — including for those with PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Website: https://www.nami.org
Mission: Building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness