Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Pet ownership is the most common form of human–animal interaction, and anecdotally, pet ownership can lead to improved physical and mental health for owners. However, scant research is available validating these claims. This study aimed to review the recent peer reviewed literature to better describe the body of knowledge surrounding the relationship between pet ownership and mental health. A literature search was conducted in May 2020 using two databases to identify articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. After title review, abstract review, and then full article review, 54 articles were included in the final analysis. Of the 54 studies, 18 were conducted in the general population, 15 were conducted in an older adult population, eight were conducted in children and adolescents, nine focused on people with chronic disease, and four examined a specific unique population. Forty-one of the studies were cross-sectional, 11 were prospective longitudinal cohorts, and two were other study designs. For each of the articles, the impact of pet ownership on the mental health of owners was divided into four categories: positive impact (n = 17), mixed impact (n = 19), no impact (n = 13), and negative impact (n = 5). Among the reviewed articles, there was much variation in population studied and study design, and these differences make direct comparison challenging. However, when focusing on the impact of pet ownership on mental health, the results were variable and not wholly supportive of the benefit of pets on mental health. Future research should use more consistent methods across broader populations and the development of a pet-ownership survey module for use in broad, population surveys would afford a better description of the true relationship of pet ownership and mental health.

Supporting Young Readers: A Mixed-Methods Study of Their Literacy, Behaviour, and Perceptions When Reading Aloud to Dogs or Adults

“…Beetz, 2017 ). These findings coincide with research in adult populations that find stress is reduced through AAI (Friedmann & Son, 2009 ; Pendry et al, 2020 ; Scoresby et al, 2021 ). Generally, AAI research with dogs demonstrates the positive impact they can have on young learners’ academic performance (Lane & Zavada, 2013 ), emotional regulation, and social skills (Beetz et al, 2012 ).…”

Spreading of Pasteurella multocida Infection in a Pet Rabbit Breeding and Possible Implications on Healed Bunnies

“…In particular, rabbits are increasingly common in the home environment in some countries such as the United Kingdom [2]. Pets provide great social benefits to owners such as decreasing feelings of loneliness and anxiety and increasing opportunities for socialization [3]. Moreover, dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and hamsters are frequently used in Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT).…”

“…Despite these benefits, human-animal interactions are associated with risks of health problems, including allergies, asthma, animal bites, and scratches [4]. In addition, pets are not always able to provide a positive effect in case of mental illness or untreated stress in people [3]. Companion animals can also transmit potential pathogens to humans.…”

Dog ownership and mental health among community‐dwelling older adults: A systematic review

“…For example, it has been reported that owning a dog leads to a 24% reduction in the risk of all‐cause mortality at all ages, 16 a 31% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, 16–18 greater physical activity, 19 and greater ability to embrace a healthy lifestyle 20,21 . Just as in younger individuals, older dog owners benefit from the effects of walking a dog 22–27 . The benefit of dog ownership might also be combined with a perceived good physical health and may facilitates the development of new social relationships Recent reviews suggest that dog ownership could benefit children's and adult's mental health 24–26 …”