Owning a Pet can boost Wellbeing Discover mental and physical benefits

July 14, 2025

A recent report suggests that owning a pet offers psychological benefits. This shouldn’t be a surprise as pets are often considered as best friends and family members.

Economists report that owning a pet offers psychological benefits comparable to marriage and was on a par with what you would expect to see from somebody receiving an extra £70,000 in annual income.

A study of 2,500 British households found that owning a pet increased life satisfaction by 3-4 points on a seven-point scale. Using the “life satisfaction approach,” researchers estimated the value of pet companionship by converting this benefit into a hypothetical income figure. Dr Adelina Gschwandtner of the University of Kent led the study, inspired by similar research valuing human friendship.

She acknowledged that the £70,000-a-year value assigned to pet ownership may raise some eyebrows. “I understand why some people might be sceptical,” she said. “But other economists have previously calculated similar values for being able to meet with family and friends once or twice a week. If you put it in that context, I think our findings make sense.

“Given that pets are considered by many as best friends and family members, these values appear to be plausible … I also suspect that many people don’t actually realise how important their pets are for them.”

It has already been well documented that pet ownership is linked to better physical health. People with dogs, for instance, tend to walk more and be less stressed.

A 2021 PLOS One study found that dog owners felt more loved and valued during the Covid pandemic than those without dogs and were less likely to be depressed. Other research shows pets can lower heart rate and blood pressure more effectively than friends or family in stressful situations, possibly because pet owners feel less judged. According to a study in Social Indicators Research, pet owners also tend to be more extroverted, conscientious, and open.

Practicality of Ownership

I can attest to the benefits of owning a dog, something that we did relatively late in life (post 60). Aside from the physical benefit of regular walks, there is the inestimable value of unconditional love. To come home, knowing that my dog is always delighted to see me is uplifting. I’m not saying my wife isn’t pleased to see me but that’s not always guaranteed.

I appreciate that I am fortunate because by chance we have a collie spaniel (featured photograph) who once the puppy terrors had passed, has been a tremendous companion primarily because he is intelligent. I reckon he understands 200 or so words and often I joke that he is the most intelligent member of our family.

However, owning a dog or cat isn’t as simple as some may think. You only have to go to a rescue centre to realise how many pets are owned in haste. There is commitment, there is a cost and what do you do if you are a frequent traveller? As my wife said when we acquired Oscar as a puppy, this is “like having a baby” and do you want to do that in your later years?

There is also an emotional fear. It is likely that we will outlive Oscar, and such is our attachment it is a scenario we can hardly bear to think about. I know we will be devastated when that time comes and the comment “It’s only a dog” is one of the great untruths.

Obviously, we could have adopted an older pet, but would it have been the same? I’m sure there is some truth in the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.

Choosing the right breed is important and do the research to suit your lifestyle. You could volunteer at a shelter or if a friend has a dog, offer to pet sit to see if it suits you. We did a dog sit for a weekend and the reluctance to return him supported our desire to own a dog.

If you do take on a pet, and I would be a big advocate of doing so, you need to identify someone who could take on your pet if needed.

I’m not really a cat person and I’m sure many of you are, so it would be great to hear from you about cat ownership.