Ask any pet parent and they’ll tell you: their dog or cat brings them unadulterated joy. Coming home to excited purring or a wagging tail at the end of a long day, and a walk outside – even when you don’t feel like it – is good for both parties involved. The anecdotal evidence is there, but do people without pets feel the same way? To get a better sense of how the two groups compare, Rover surveyed* 1,000 pet parents and 1,000 people without pets.
It turns out, pet parents are indeed a special breed. According to the survey, pet people: get outside more, exercise more, are generally happier and feel more loved than those without a dog or cat.
Pet parents spend more time outside than those without a dog or cat. The majority (72%) get outside for 30 minutes or more at least once a day, compared to 49% of people without pets. In fact, the latter is more likely to spend very little time outside, with 20% spending 30 minutes outside once a week or less (compared to just 7% of pet parents).
It stands to reason that dogs especially influence more outside time for people. They require potty breaks, walks and visits to the dog park. The nearly 50 percent difference between non pet parents and pet parents suggests a meaningful impact on lifestyle and happiness.
Diving deeper, we consulted with Rover Pet People Panelist Philip Tedeschi** (Clinical Professor and Founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver) who shared more insights about the relationship between humans and their pets–including potential reasons why pets may have a positive impact on a number of lifestyle factors. Here’s what he had to say:
“The experience of having a pet that takes you outside has been found to alter our individual neurobiological functions. Research has documented that exposure to biophilia (nature) increases a sense of well-being. Increasingly we are seeing medical doctors prescribing time spent in nature, or “nature prescription”, as an intervention for treatment to anxiety and depression. The connection to a dog or cat can activate the neurotransmitters of Oxytocin, Serotonin and Dopamine, and reduce the stress transmitters. These working in tandem make for a powerful intervention.”
Tedeschi also adds, “An added and slightly deeper consideration is, not only are these individuals getting outside more often, but it’s important to understand the quality of these “outside” activities. When outside with your dog, exercise is likely to increase, social interaction between dog and their person is increased, and the settings that are likely to draw someone walking their dog is also important – think green spaces, trees, water.
Sometimes referred to as the “Biophilia Effect”, human beings come from nature, and having evolved out of these spaces and having senses designed to function in these spaces, we naturally seek interactions with the living world. Nature, beauty and a sense of well being are highly connected.”
Compared to those without pets (64%), pet parents typically exercise more often with 74% working out a few times a week or more.
Similar to getting outside more, pets can be a motivator for more exercise. Who among us pet parents hasn’t decided to take the pup for a walk or run, even when the weather was bad or we really didn’t have the motivation? That puppy dog stare, begging to get some exercise and burn off energy, can be a pretty motivating factor.
“Across the research spectrum, the hottest topic in health-related epidemiological research in human physical health is the focus on the motivating factors for people to get out and move more,” explains Tedeschi. “Pet parenthood in and of itself may be one of these factors. In several studies, including Rover’s report, looking at dog owners’ specific activities, individuals who owned a dog were found to walk more often and for longer than non-dog owners. Most central to the decision to walk was the mutual beneficial time spent with dogs. Increasing the motivational factors for walking has been identified as a priority in the broad public health agenda and building physical activity routines is seen as one of the most critical issues for improving quality of life and health metrics.”
People with pets feel more loved on a daily basis (52% vs. 44%, respectively) and are more likely to be happy (74%) than those without (66%).
We’ve long been aware that pets provide us with unconditional love. That’s what makes the special bond between pets and their people so strong. In fact, according to the survey the average pet parent is nearly 10% more likely to feel loved on a daily basis. Tedeschi says this statistic, while remarkable, makes perfect sense to him.
“The degree to which dogs are connected to us is astonishing, and while co-evolution goes a long way toward explaining the depth of the human-canine bond, it doesn’t fully unravel our unmitigated love affair with each other.”
He adds, “Arguably the most powerful impact that our human-animal connections offer us is social support and capacity for social capital. This choice to be together is not one-sided. Individuals frequently prioritize time spent with their dogs over the company of people, even significant others. Healthy human-canine relationships are symbiotic, offer mutual benefits, and require a deep expression of commitment from both species to living with one another.”
The bond between people and pets may also have mental benefits. According to Tedeschi, “Increasingly there has been an identified mental health crisis of isolation and loneliness. Research suggests that social support may be the single most important variable needed for mental health. Likewise, a lack of social support is one of the strongest predictors of developing other health problems such as substance use disorders and related mood disorders, leading to further social anxiety and isolation. Animals, especially those who share our homes, often seek our attention, alleviate our loneliness, and allow us to feel a sense of belonging.”
There is science that supports our pets’ ability to boost “good feelings”, too. Tedeschi explains that “Oxytocin has been linked with a number of social, emotional, physiological, and neurobiological effects – not the least of which being emotional safety and capacity for trust – this generalized effect would allow many to feel happier and loved.”
The vast majority (64%) of pet parents are very excited to get home after working or being away for an extended period of time, compared to 43% of non pet parents. One in four (24%) without pets say they aren’t excited at all to return home, compared to only 6% of pet parents who share the same sentiment.
Tedeschi elaborates, “One of the dimensions that intersects people’s sense of well-being is acceptance and belonging. Authenticity in many of our relationships can often feel out of reach. The non- judgmental, reliable, and virtually boundless affection we receive from pets, however, opens opportunities for trust that may be missing in other relationships.”
“An exuberant tail wag, being met at the door each time you come home is like walking into the purest and warmest of hugs, offering us belonging to be our authentic selves. With our animal companions, we are accepted, even celebrated, for exactly who we are.”
People with pets are 11% more likely to have a significant other, than those without.
According to Tedeschi, there’s a reason that people feel more comfortable or attracted to a person with a pet. He explains, “the key, however, is that the pet must be genuinely flourishing and showing indicators of a sense of well-being in the presence of the person. A very real indicator of safety is the reaction of animals in our immediate environment. In scientific terms, this is called neuroception of safety.”
There is also research that shows people with a pet that feels safe are more likable, seen as more approachable, more attractive and easier to talk to. According to Tedeschi, this is because “with the activation of the oxytocin system, we are more optimistic, more talkative and less stressed – overall friendlier. When dogs (and other companion animals) are being treated kindly/lovingly they also have an activated oxytocin system.”
Of course pets can impact our lives in other ways, too. Other highlights from the survey include:
- Pet status doesn’t seem to have much of an impact on where people choose to live – Pet parents (41%) and people without a dog or cat (45%) are both most likely to live in the suburbs. Interestingly, pet parents (33%) are slightly more likely than non pet parents (29%) to live in an urban area.
- Saving for retirement? Despite the added financial responsibility of pet parenthood, those with pets are more likely to contribute to their retirement (71%) than those without (65%).
- Living alone – People without pets (27%) are more likely to live alone, compared to 19% of pet parents who report being the only human member of their household.
- Pets are early risers – Pet parents are more likely than those without a dog or a cat to get an early start on the day, with 68% waking before 7:00 AM compared to 62% of those without pets.
- Work break – Pet parents are more likely to take a break from work throughout the day than those without a dog or cat. Nearly half of pet parents (49%) say they take frequent breaks, compared to 37% of those without a pet.
- Life fulfillment – Pet parents are more likely to feel fulfilled in life than those without pets. Nearly half of pet parents (47%) report feeling very fulfilled, compared to just 43% of those who don’t have a dog or cat.
- Everyone can agree, pets bring us joy and love – Regardless of current pet status, the majority of pet parents (77%) and those without (60%) agree that pets bring people joy and provide unconditional love (73% and 58%, respectively).
- Pets are a social lubricant – Pet parents are more likely to have a better social life than those without. 43% of pet parents say their social life is good, compared to 35% for non pet parents. Only 15% of pet parents indicated their social life was lacking, compared to 20% of non pet parents.
- Get a dog, get active! More pet parents (51%) spend their free time doing something active, like running, walking, hiking or other outdoor activities, than those who don’t have a pet (37%).
