Locations:
Search IconSearch
February 9, 2023/Living Healthy/Wellness

The Health Benefits of Pets

They can provide social, physical, mental and emotional boosts!

Owner hiking with dog on a pathway in the woods.

There are very good reasons for people to get a pet — and not just because animals are cute!

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Animals are “so much more than pets,” says Molly Gross, CCLS, a certified child life specialist and facility dog handler.

“They become like a member of your family. The term ‘pet’ doesn’t encompass the meaning and the impact they have.”

In fact, pets can also give you significant — and sometimes surprising — health benefits.

Top health benefits of owning a pet

Stress relief

You’ve probably felt a rush of joy scrolling through social media and seeing cute pet photos from friends. Being in the physical presence of an animal is equally good for you.

“Research has shown that petting a dog decreases the stress hormone cortisol,” Gross says. “This helps to decrease your blood pressure and overall helps you feel less stressed.”

Maintain a routine

Anyone with a dog or cat knows who’s really in charge of meal times. “You have to get up every morning because your dog has to get up,” Gross says.

But she adds having that nudge to wake up can be beneficial to humans. “It keeps you in a routine, and having that routine — and putting something or someone else before you — provides a physical and mental boost.”

Be social

Pets can also lead to more human connections. How many times have you been walking your dog (or cat!) and then encounter strangers who strike up conversations simply because your good boy or girl is so cute?

Advertisement

“Animals are part of the family and become your companion,” Gross notes. “But animals can help you be social, and feel less alone or isolated when you’re at home.”

Indeed, a furry companion can help even if you’re just hanging at home. A survey by the journal Aging & Mental Health of 14 community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older with pets found that their pets might benefit them by “providing companionship, giving a sense of purpose and meaning, reducing loneliness and increasing socialization.”

Get moving

Physical exercise is key to a brain-healthy lifestyle. Experts generally agree that adults need at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for good health.

The payoff extends beyond enhanced brain health to weight control, improved cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength, and reduced risk of chronic diseases and killers such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

While cats aren’t necessarily the most active animals — although they can be playful if they’re in the mood — you can get quite a bit of exercise with a dog, especially if they’re active and love walking. Luckily, brisk walking counts as moderate-intensity activity for you, too.

“Obviously, dogs are getting outside for bathroom breaks,” Gross says. “But if you’re going for walks or hikes or doing something active that you enjoy with your dog, you’re getting up and moving. And it’s even better because you have your best friend with you.”

Any pet can benefit your health

At the end of the day, you don’t necessarily need to have a dog or cat to get the benefits of having an animal.

“I grew up with dogs, and they’re always ready to greet you and to give you affection and love you unconditionally,” she says. “But I imagine that’s probably true for some other animals. In fact, I’m sure the cat lovers and the reptile lovers would agree that there are some similar benefits.”

It’s important to note that while service animals provide many of the same health benefits as pets — for example, companionship and helping you feel less alone — they aren’t the same thing.

Service animals are specifically trained to provide support for people living with certain disabilities.

“When service animals get placed with people, they’re saving their lives,” Gross states. “They provide a number of services based on someone’s needs, from helping them cross the street safely, alerting them about low blood sugar or even providing deep pressure therapy. It’s a huge privilege for a dog to be deemed a service animal.”

Advertisement

Pets and service animals are also different from facility dogs. These are dogs who go to hospitals and offer all kinds of support.

For example, Gross looks after Kid, who is a facility dog at Cleveland Clinic. “He received similar training to a service animal,” she explains. “But these dogs are trained to be able to perform animal-assisted therapy interventions with their handlers and provide services to several patients versus serving one individual.”

Gross says Kid helps with therapies and treatments kids are going through. “That could be helping them get up and out of bed after surgery,” she continues, “or calming their nerves before, during, or after a procedure, or building a therapeutic relationship if they have a chronic condition.”

In other words, Kid makes the hospital experience that much better. As a facility dog handler who is also a child life specialist, my dog is another tool in my toolbox to help motivate and support my patients, Gross adds. “Dogs have the power to make people feel safe, and they build relationships faster than any human can.”

Learn more about the Facility Dog program at Cleveland Clinic:

A Day in the Life of Kid the Facility Dog at Cleveland Clinic Children's

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Health Library
Cortisol

Related Articles

People on couch talking, using "therapy speak," including gaslighting, triggered, boundaries
January 13, 2025/Mental Health
When ‘Therapy Speak’ Does More Harm Than Good

Using terms like ‘gaslighting,’ ‘trauma dumping’ and ‘boundaries’ in your everyday life may not be healthy or productive

Person with sledgehammer smashing oversized mask of face, with awards and crowd nearby
January 9, 2025/Mental Health
Impostor Syndrome May Be Holding You Back

This pattern of self-doubt leads you to worry that someone will discover you’re a fraud and that you don’t deserve the success you’ve earned

Caregiver holding newborn while also reviewing paperwork at home
January 9, 2025/Parenting
Mom Burnout: Are You Dealing With ‘Depleted Mother Syndrome’?

This burnout is characterized by physical and mental exhaustion and feelings like worry, guilt and overwhelm

People in ballet class working at barres
January 7, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
Behind Barre: What It Is and How To Make It Work for You

This fine-tuned ballet-based exercise is great for strength training and flexibility

Infographic/Venn diagram of the dark triad, with narcissim, psychopathy and Machiavellianism
January 3, 2025/Mental Health
What Is the Dark Triad? 9 Signs To Watch Out For

This personality type involves three overlapping traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy

Vertical climbing machine, with person on vertical climbing machine shaded out
December 31, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
How Vertical Climbers Can Take Your Workouts to New Heights

Climbing machines offer full-body results with cardio- and strength-training benefits

Close-up of rash on skin
December 30, 2024/Skin Care & Beauty
Are Stress Hives a Real Thing?

Tough times can become even tougher if they leave an itchy rash on your skin

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
December 27, 2024/Mental Health
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Trending Topics

Person sitting on floor at night next to bed in deep thought, with partner sleeping in bed
Understanding Mental Load: What It Is and How It Affects You

When you get bogged down with mental tasks, you can experience mood changes, sleeplessness and more

Hands holding two different kinds of pain medications separated by a white line
Can You Take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?

You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction

Smiling person with headphones on, sweeping floor in living room
Understanding Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT Exercise)

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is all the activity we do that’s not technically exercise but is still important to your health and well-being

Ad