When a dog gazes at you with those big sad eyes, you’re witnessing a form of evolution in action. Because of human selection, dogs—but not wolves—can move their eyebrows, creating those heart-melting puppy-dog eyes. It’s a motion that appears to serve a singular purpose: communicating with humans.
On the surface, humans respond to puppy-dog eyes by handing over treats and affection, but more is happening that we cannot see: Our brains respond by releasing oxytocin—the love hormone. Oxytocin is associated with bonding between mothers and newborns, and with the heady days of new romance. It fosters feelings of love, trust, and contentment.
Pets and health
Beyond the brows, simply interacting with animals, from dogs and cats to fish and birds, is associated with reduced anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Human-animal interaction (HAI) can lead to physical health benefits as well. There are many health benefits of having a dog. Two studies published in the medical journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality Outcomes suggested that dog ownership significantly reduces the risk of death. In the first, compared with non-owners, dog owners experienced a 65 percent reduced risk of mortality after heart attack, a 31 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular issues, and a 24 percent lower risk of death from any cause.
A second study in the same issue reported that, among people who live alone, those with dogs have a 33 percent better chance of surviving a heart attack and a 27 percent greater chance of surviving a stroke. Pet owners have lower cardiovascular risk factors overall, including lower plasma cholesterol, triglyceride values, and blood pressure, as well as a blunted blood pressure response to stress. Babies and toddlers who are exposed to animals have a lower risk of developing allergies and asthma.
Much of the evidence is still observational and anecdotal—so don’t expect your doctor to prescribe a puppy for hypertension just yet—but it certainly suggests that there are ample reasons to interact with animals.
Benefits of having a dog vs benefits of having a cat
Of all pets, dogs have been studied the most. They can read our moods and change their own behavior in response. They serve as someone to talk to and can ward off loneliness. Cats too provide companionship and love, but they’re not included in studies nearly as often. Part of the reason is that while dog owners represent a variety of people of different ages and health levels, cat owners are often women who are in poorer health and who have less social support, two factors that can skew study results.
While simply having a pet provides mental and physical benefits, HAI researchers are now looking more closely at how different interactions influence the benefits. For example, one dog owner could gain more physical benefits by taking walks more often than someone whose dog roams in the backyard. Feeding the fish in a tank or birds in the wild provides different benefits than simply observing them.
Animals in therapy
Health-care providers have learned that animals can enhance the therapeutic effects of their care in what’s called animal-assisted therapy. A psychologist may include a dog in therapy sessions to help patients feel more comfortable, while a physical therapist may use horses to help people with physical disabilities improve strength and balance.
Animals can be trained to help people with medical conditions live more independently. Consider seeing-eye dogs, emotional support animals for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, and animals that can sense epileptic seizures.
Animal-assisted activities are less formal. There is evidence that when a dog visits or lives on a memory care unit of a long-term facility, residents with Alzheimer’s disease display more social behaviors, such as smiling, laughing, and touching. When nursing homes have aquariums, residents with Alzheimer’s disease have better appetites and fewer disruptive behaviors.
Watching fish can focus people’s attention and reduce stress, in nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and our own living rooms.
Exposure without ownership
Just as it’s not always possible to have an animal in a long-term care facility, not all people can have pets. Fortunately, research suggests that the benefits of human-animal interaction aren’t limited to animals that reside in our homes. Many of the same benefits can be gained by visiting zoos, feeding birds, and observing wildlife in nature. In fact, many of the benefits of animal interaction are also seen when people simply spend more time in nature. From our physiology to our psyches, humans benefit from interacting with the natural world.
Bottom Line Health interviewed Alan Beck, ScD, who is the director of the Center of Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University. He is the author of Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship.
Planning for a pet
- Choose wisely. Are you willing and able to take care of a high-energy dog’s needs for exercise? Or would a calmer lap dog fit better with your lifestyle? Would a dog be left alone for long stretches of time? Perhaps a cat would be a better match.
- Accept lifelong responsibility. Puppies and kittens grow old. Animals get sick and need care. As a pet owner, you need to keep caring for a pet even when things are rough. Veterinary care can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to look into pet health insurance to help cover unexpected costs.
- Adopt a senior. If an older family member is looking to adopt a pet, consider an oldershelter pet. An older dog can provide all of the love with less need for exuberant exercise. An older cat is less likely to outlive a beloved owner.
- Plan for unexpected events. Who will care for your pet if you are incapacitated? What will you do if you need to evacuate for an emergency? Work the details out long before you need them.
- Foster. If you’re interested in spending time with animals in your home but are concerned about the cost of veterinary care or being able to care for the animal over a long period of time, consider fostering a pet. Many animal rescue organizations place animals in people’s homes for a short time while looking for a permanent home. The rescue provides veterinary care while the foster parent provides love, comfort, and socialization.
