Can Pets Reduce Stress?
- By Deborah Onoja
- 25 Jun 2023
- Verified by Dr. Lozynska Liudmyla Yaroslavivna
Key takeaways
- Interaction with pets releases oxytocin and lowers cortisol, helping reduce stress levels.
- Dogs, cats, small mammals, fish, and birds each offer unique benefits in stress management.
- The human-pet relationship improves both the mental and physical health of the owner and the pet.
- Pets are valuable in therapeutic settings, serving as animal-assisted therapists, emotional support animals, and therapy animals in various institutions.
- Regular care for pets provides structure and routine, enhances social interactions, and increases physical activity, all contributing to reduced stress for the owner.
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- The Friend Who Keeps You Young | Johns Hopkins Medicine
- The Power of Pets | NIH News in Health
- In brief: Pets can help reduce anxiety, boredom during tests negatively impacts results, and more research.
- Do pets reduce stress? | Think Twice
- “I Can’t Give Up When I Have Them to Care for”: People’s Experiences of Pets and Their Mental Health
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Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide comfort and companionship to persons dealing with mental health issues, they are not trained to do specific jobs but can boost emotional well-being just by being present.
Pets provide unconditional company, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness. Caring for a pet and maintaining a regular routine can also provide a feeling of purpose, reducing anxiety over time.
Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, involves trained animals interacting with people in settings like hospitals, nursing homes, or therapy centers. These interactions aim to boost emotional health and promote relaxation.
Yes. Spending time with cats or dogs can reduce stress hormone levels and stimulate the release of oxytocin, which promotes bonding and relaxation.
While dogs and cats are the most common pets for stress relief, other animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and even fish can offer comfort. The key factor is forming a meaningful bond with the animal
Owning a pet has been linked to improved mental health because it reduces loneliness, promotes physical activity, and offers emotional support.
Interacting with pets, such as petting or playing with them, can help lower cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. At the same time, it increases oxytocin levels, which fosters relaxation and a sense of calm.
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