The Mental Health Benefits of Pets

When it comes to mental health management, it can be wildly beneficial to have social supports. Having loved ones in our circle to feel supported, cared for, and validated by can make a huge difference in our day to day lives. However, sometimes it can feel draining to be around people and difficult to make time to engage with others in a way that puts us beyond our social capacity.

Pets and animals can provide the type of support that some find really helpful when engaging with other people is challenging. Pets can be a great way to have supplemental social support as well as several other mental health benefits. We made a list of some of the positive ways our pets can aid us in our mental health journey. 

1. Responsibility

When we are struggling with self esteem, it can be hard to take care of ourselves. Having a pet can be really helpful in those moments as it can provide a sense of responsibility and caretaking that allows individuals to feel accomplished. Doing things for others is often referenced as a way to cope by several therapy modalities like CBT and DBT.

2. Routine

Although early morning walks can feel like a drag some days, establishing a routine is not only helpful for our animals, but it can also be helpful for ourselves. For some individuals, pets have helped them get outside every day, assisted with consistent bed time, and even helped with taking breaks from work. All of these things can be easier to do when we are doing them for someone outside of ourselves since it helps uphold the boundary and commitment.

3. Companionship

Having a furry friend greet you at the door, a fish swim to the top of the tank, or a cat rub its nose against your cheek can fill our brains with dopamine and oxytocin. These ‘happy chemicals’ help us with our sense of belonging and importance. Having an animal that is happy to see you and engage with you regardless of what is going on in your life can be grounding and centering for individuals. 

4. Building Empathy

Since pets don’t have as much autonomy as people, they rely on others to take care of some of their needs. This can be a dynamic that is helpful in building empathy and understanding of the needs of others. This can be especially helpful to children who are learning empathy and how to meet their needs as well as think of the needs of others. 

5. Being Present

Our animals can be really helpful with grounding ourselves into the world that is right in front of us. Going on walks, playing around, or cuddling with our animals brings our attention to the present as well as can assist with detaching from anxiety or stressors. 

Overall, animals have been long thought of as companions for people. They are fun to be around, help us feel a sense of belonging, and can become a part of our family. Mental health benefits might not be the first thing that we think of when taking an animal into our homes, but they are some dependable additives to what makes our pets great. If you are ever in need of documentation or an emotional support animal, talk to your mental health provider for more information. 

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency please call/text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.