Do pets really bring us happiness? Yes—here’s how

Pets can be a part of your family, inciting love and happiness wherever they go and calming you in your most difficult moments. However, some may wonder what causes this happiness and why pets often bring on this emotion. If you have a special pet (or pets) in your life, it may be valuable to learn more about the psychology behind this connection. 

Unconditional love: Exploring relationships between pets and their humans

• "When your children are teenagers, it's important to have a dog so that someone is happy to see you.” -Nora Ephron

• "A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” -Josh Billings

• "No matter how crappy your day is, there is always a happy face waiting for you to get home.” -Unknown

• "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains un-awakened.” -Anatole France

• "Some angels choose fur instead of wings.” -Unknown

• "Home is where the dog is.” -Unknown

The benefits of animals for happiness

Below are some of the reasons animals bring joy to their owners and the benefits of having pets. However, note that despite the benefits of owning a pet, pets are a significant responsibility. 

Using pets for happiness, if you’re unable to care for them properly, take them to the vet, and attend to their needs may not be a wise decision. Instead, you might benefit from playing with pets at a cat café, local shelter, rescue, or animal therapy center. 

Pets can be trained for special jobs 

People living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, Alzheimer's, blindness, deafness, diabetes, and other mental and physical disabilities may be able to receive support from a therapy animal, emotional support animal (ESA), or service dog. 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Pets can be trained as therapy animals to offer love, stress relief, support, and happiness to those experiencing challenging moments or living with chronic physical or emotional conditions. For example, some libraries and animal shelters have dogs available to be with children while they read or work on other skills, possibly helping them to feel more at ease as they practice new skills in a new setting.  Hospitals can have similar programs, connecting longer-term patients with hospital-chartered therapy dogs. 

Note that therapy dogs, emotional support animals, and service dogs are different from each other, and different laws apply to their reach in public, housing, and workplaces. Therapy dogs and ESAs are pets. Therapy dogs can accompany their owners to locations like hospitals, shelters, and other locations with pre-approval to support their owners. ESAs are any pet that provides emotional support to an individual and has legal rights to live in non-pet-friendly housing. They do not have public access rights per the ADA and are no longer allowed on airlines. They are not trained to offer tasks to aid in a disability. 

Service dogs are dogs trained to offer one or more tasks to aid the disability of their handler. They are also trained in obedience and public reach and are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Housing Act (FHA), and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Service dogs can be for physical or mental disabilities, including mental illnesses. However, emotional support is not considered a task, and ESAs are not service dogs. There is no official registration for service dogs, but service dogs are often trained by programs that may offer an ID or paperwork. 

Pets can encourage movement (and joy)

Many pets require exercise, offering an opportunity for their owners to get out and move—possibly without the thought of it being a grueling form of exercise. Because your animal’s needs are crucial, it may motivate you in your most difficult moments. 

Beyond the ease and mindfulness that routine walks can bring, owners can enjoy more time in the sun, possibly heightening their vitamin D exposure and levels of endorphins in the brain that can be released for an additional mood boost.

Like how they can help you move at home, pets can offer fun and joy to several types of exercise. In recent years, yoga groups have begun incorporating animals into their practice. Puppies, goats, rabbits, and other animals can participate alongside class-goers, potentially adding some levity and joy to physical movement. 

Animals may help you overcome loneliness

When you have a pet, you might think of them as your best friend. They may sit quietly, support you as a listener, and offer a certain level of comfort as you go about daily life. You’re not alone if you feel this way, and there is a scientific process behind this response. 

Petting an animal for even a short period can signal the brain to produce the hormones serotonin and oxytocin—which are soothing chemicals that cause a sense of tranquility and peace. Oxytocin can also serve as a mood brightener. For example, the act of watching fish can relieve stress and have a calming effect. No matter the type of pet you have, you may experience this biological response when connecting with your pet emotionally.

Pets can instill empathy in children

Children with pets they must care for with parental supervision from a young age can learn about empathy through pet care. When they see that a pet responds to their care and loves them, they might learn that they can make a difference in the life of a living creature and their own lives.

When children understand their pet has feelings and understand and respond to those feelings, they can actively build empathy, which can be a critical skill to form as they age. They may carry this legacy of kindness to their children (should they choose to have them) or how they see and interact with the world around them. 

Pets can facilitate social interaction and be a social support 

Taking your dog for a walk or to a dog park can give you an automatic conversation starter. When meeting new people, you can show pictures of your favorite pet to add to conversations or make a connection with someone. In addition, if you have difficulty in social situations, knowing that you have a positive relationship with your pet may encourage you to reach out and connect with another person.

Other support options

Talking with a professional may be beneficial if you're struggling to connect with others, feeling low, or having difficulties adjusting to changes in your life. Pets can be a significant source of support but can’t offer conversation. However, some people may be wary of leaving home or may be more comfortable in their own space with their pets. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can remove barriers to treatment, connecting people with therapists on their terms. 

Through an online platform, you can connect with a therapist from any location with an internet connection via phone, video, or live chat sessions. If you attend therapy from home, you can bring your pet to sessions with you and introduce them to your therapist. 

Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, producing comparable results for clients who may be experiencing various mental health conditions and challenges. A cited meta-analysis from the National Center for Health Research found that this value was identified across multiple forms of online therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused brief therapy, to name a couple.