
Pets and Mental Health


Petting cats and dogs reduces stress! (Video)
Cats and dogs have the power to alleviate our stress. All we have to do is play with them.Researchers from Washington State University divided 249 college students into four groups. The first was permitted to pet and play with cats and dogs for 10 minutes. The second...
Our pets love us unconditionally: They bring us endless fun, joy, and comfort which all prove beneficial to our mental health
Pets can bring an overwhelming amount of fun, joy, and love to our lives—additionally, they can help to soothe any feelings of loneliness. Dogs, cats, and other pets love their owners unconditionally and in showing this love are able to help us feel happy again. The...
The best animal companions for loneliness: If you’re feeling lonely, a pet can fill the void
Loneliness is an unpleasant state we all experience at times; fortunately, an animal companion can help us resolve those lonely feelings. Dogs often prove to be great pets and they come with mental health benefits including stress and anxiety reduction, a boost in...
Adopting a dog can benefit your health in more ways than one: Exploring effects on heart disease, blood pressure, self-image and more
Adopting a dog can have positive effects on your health: it can reduce the risk of developing certain ailments and help with your self-image. First, dogs (and other pets) can have a positive influence on heart health; researchers say this is mostly due to the physical...
“I want to walk like you, talk like you”: dogs match their owners’ personality (Video)
We have a huge influence on our dog’s personalities. This, from a Michigan State University study that surveyed over 1,600 dog owners. Researchers asked owners to evaluate their dog’s personalities and answer questions related to the dog’s behavioral history. They...
Dogs have an uncanny ability to make us happy: they have quirky personalities, love us unconditionally, and help us slow our racing thoughts
Before I took my leap of faith and adopted my dog, Mila, I surveyed everyone in my life to see what they thought. Did they think I could handle it? Did they think it was a good idea? Did they think I was ready for the responsibility? The overwhelming answer was yes....
Dogs improve your overall wellbeing: they help to reduce stress, promote an active lifestyle, strengthen your immune system, and more
In addition to providing love, support, and companionship, dogs are beneficial to our health and overall wellbeing. When we pet a dog, we form a bond and release the hormone oxytocin, which helps to relieve us of stress and anxiety. Dogs also promote an active...