Pets and Mental Health

Pets and mental health may sound like quite an odd pairing but there have been numerous articles as well as scientific literature conducted that link pet ownership with better mental health.

Those with pets such as cats and/or dogs may already know the wonderful benefits, owning a pet has including that of comfort as well as companionship.

Some therapists have therapy dogs in their counselling spaces which can bring a sense of comfort and ease when clients have sessions. I recall in my second and third year of my university degree, one of my lecturer's would bring her therapy dog to our classes, which always bought me immense joy. The therapy dog would walk around to all of us sitting at our tables - sometimes we would get to give him pats, he would sit near us, or even jump on us at times. There were many beautiful moments in my three years studying, and having a therapy dog in this particular class was an absolute highlight.

But just what are some of the other benefits that can bring about better mental health when owning pets?

There have been studies concluding that pet ownership more specifically dog ownership had positive health outcomes in relation to physical health and lowering blood pressure. Several studies also revealed links between owning a pet and decreased feelings of loneliness.

In a group of 16 people, PTSD, anxiety, depression and alcohol use were also reduced in a study conducted by Earles et al. following 6 weeks (2 hours daily) of horse therapy.

There are other positive factors regarding the link between owning a pet and better mental health which include:

• Helping to establish a daily routine (feeding, walks, cuddles, spending time with them)

• Minimising depression and anxiety (providing a sense of purpose and self-worth by taking care of someone other than yourself as well as the sense of calm and joy one can get from cuddling or patting your pet).

• Non-verbal communication (I'm sure those of us with furbabies, talk to them sometimes more than we do to other people, however studies have found that non-verbal communication between pets and their pawrents through playful interactions, pats, cuddles or even just staring into your pets' eyes can help soothe us and make us happier in general).

• Physical activity (owning pets can also encourage physical activity).

• Socialising (having a cat, dog, rabbit or other pet can lead to the joining of particular pet clubs, and/or connecting with others with a shared love for particular pets).

• The here and now (often we are busy or lost in our thoughts however spending time with pets can bring us into the present moment, allowing us to be in the here and now and contributing to creating special moments as well as bringing about a sense of calm).

• The purring of cats is something that many people find incredibly calming, often bringing us a sense of comfort while at times also lulling us to sleep. While a cat's purr is often helpful if they are in times of stress, or when aiding in their own healing, there has been research outlining the frequency of a cat's purr and the benefits of this on the human body. The vibrations by purring cats can lower blood pressure, aid in stress and also promote healing in people.

As someone with a furbaby, I am a firm believer in the many benefits pets can have in our lives. They are great teachers, love us unconditionally and will often always bring us a sense of calm in an otherwise at times hectic and chaotic environment.

If you have a pet or pets - do you find that they enrich your life and if so, how?