Understanding the Complex Benefits of Pet Ownership

Owning a pet is often believed to boost mental and physical health by alleviating loneliness and enhancing well-being. However, new research challenges the simplicity of this notion. A study by the University of Basel, Switzerland, indicates that pet ownership itself may not directly relate to better health.

The study, involving 2,328 adults, found that health benefits are not directly tied to pet ownership. Instead, the time spent with an animal and the perceived emotional support matter more.

The Role of the Human-Animal Bond

Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding pets’ effects on human health. While some link pet ownership to decreased stress and increased physical activity, others see little advantage.

The Basel researchers examined interactions with animals to understand these inconsistencies. They considered factors like regular animal contact, attachment, and viewing animals as socio-emotional support sources.

Comparing these with physical and psychological health, loneliness, life satisfaction, and social support revealed no strong ties between pet ownership and well-being. Women and those spending more time with animals reported a stronger emotional attachment and felt more support from them.

Unexpected Findings

Yet, perceiving support didn’t always mean better well-being. Surprisingly, pet owners reported slightly worse health and smoked more than non-owners. Those feeling more supported by animals often described lower psychological well-being and higher loneliness.

The study, being observational, cannot establish cause and effect. It’s possible that those with challenges might turn to pets for companionship, rather than animals affecting their health negatively. The authors noted only small behavioral differences, like a 0.19 cigarette per day difference in smoking.

Some data suggested that more time with pets correlated with higher psychological well-being, showing that different relationship aspects might influence well-being uniquely.

Dogs and Stronger Bonds

Interactions with dogs were linked to stronger attachments and more support than other animals. Women also felt greater attachment and support from animals compared to men.

The study suggests that both the owner, the animal, and relationship quality affect how companionship is experienced. Future research should consider interactions and daily life roles, not merely pet ownership.

Limitations included reliance on self-reports, focusing solely on Swiss adults, and snapshot data. Future studies should incorporate long-term insights, diverse populations, and objective health metrics to better understand these dynamics over time.

For pet owners, this doesn’t imply a lack of benefits. Instead, it highlights the complexity of human-animal relationships, emphasizing emotional bonds over simple ownership.

Reference: Marti R, Hediger K, Pauli E, Hattendorf J. “Factors of pet ownership associated with human health: A representative cross-sectional survey of Switzerland.” PLoS One 2026;21(7):e0352778. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352778