How do pets affect mental health?

Companion animals, also knows as pets, are domestic animals like cats, dogs, horses, small furries, ornamental fish and caged birds.  

Research shows that pet ownership can offer a range of mental health benefits, with most studies focusing on dogs and cats. Based on a study conducted in Scotland, there are many key mental health benefits of having a pet.

Improved Mood and Wellbeing

Spending time with pets can immediately boost mood and reduce mental distress, even during periods of emotional or psychological difficulty.

Increased Motivation and Physical Activity

Pets encourage healthier routines, such as spending more time outdoors and engaging in physical activity, both of which are linked to improved mental health.

Reduced Anxiety and Panic Symptoms

Pets can help ease symptoms of anxiety, provide comfort during panic attacks and may even help prevent them. They also offer support in managing conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Enhanced Social Connection and Reduced Loneliness

Caring for a pet can create opportunities for social interaction and help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Decreased Risk of Harmful Behaviours

Pet ownership can reduce harmful behaviours, such as self-harm, by fostering a sense of responsibility, purpose and meaning – key elements in supporting mental wellbeing and life satisfaction.

Support for Coping and Recovery

While pets do not ‘cure mental health conditions, they can make symptoms easier to manage and contribute positively to the recovery process by providing companionship, structure and emotional support.

Physical Health Benefits

Physical and mental health are heavily interconnected. Owning a pet has been shown to have significant positive impact on physical health, like reducing blood pressure and risk of heart attack.  

Emotional Challenges and Considerations

However, it is important to remember that having a pet is a responsibility and can bring emotional challenges with it. Pet ownership can also bring emotional strain, such as feelings of guilt about caring responsibilities or grief after a pet’s death. These challenges may affect mental health and should be acknowledged when deciding to take care of an animal.  

Service animals/assistance dogs 

In Scotland, and across the UK, assistance dogs can support disabled people, including those with mental health conditions or who are neurodivergent (such as autism or ADHD). To qualify, you must have a diagnosed condition and the dog must be trained.

In Scotland, you can train your own assistance dog or get an organisation-trained dog. Owner-trained dogs are fully recognised under the Equality Act (2010). There are also organisations that offer guidance, support and resources to help with training. You can find out more information at the bottom of this page. 

A Psychiatric Assistance Dog is trained to support people with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar or schizophrenia.  

What Can Assistance Dogs Do? 

Assistance dogs can be trained to help with a wide range of needs:

Mental health

• Support routine and emotional regulation 

• Can apply deep pressure therapy by lying on or leaning into the handler to calm anxiety 

• Can ground by using physical contact brings the handler back to the present during dissociation or distress 

• Can use tactile stimulation like pawing, nudging or licking provide comfort and reduce sensory or emotional overload. 

Physical help

• Fetch items, open doors, assist with mobility.

Medical alerts

• Detect seizures, blood sugar changes, fainting.

Hearing and vision support

• Alert to sounds, guide through environments. 

Animal-assisted therapy

You don’t need to own a pet to experience the emotional benefits of being around animals. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) offers structured support that involves spending time with animals in a therapeutic setting. These animals can include dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chickens, pigs, alpacas or horses. Sessions may involve activities such as stroking, grooming, watching, feeding or simply sitting quietly with the animal. 

For example, equine (horse) therapy has been particularly effective for veterans living with PTSD, while many schools and universities now use animal therapy to help improve emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of overwhelm. 

Therapets

Bella has been a much-loved presence at our Stafford Centre service in Edinburgh for over 10 years. She brings a calming and supportive influence to the service, offering comfort during difficult moments and helping to ease anxiety. Her gentle nature also encourages social interaction, often acting as a bridge that helps service users connect and build friendships. 

Things to consider before getting a pet

While pets can offer emotional support and contribute to improved wellbeing for some people, they should not be seen as treatment for mental health conditions. Pet ownership is a serious, long-term responsibility and may not always be easy. Before getting a pet, it’s important to consider whether you have:

• Enough Time: Pets need daily care, attention and interaction. This includes feeding, exercise, grooming and play. 

• Enough Money: Pet care involves ongoing costs such as food or vet bills, which can be very expensive.  

• Emotional Capacity: Pets require patience and emotional energy, especially during illness, behavioural issues or end-of-life care. 

• Stable Living Arrangements: Ensure your housing allows pets and that you have a safe, suitable environment for them. 

• Long-Term Commitment: Pets live for many years. Consider how future changes in your lifestyle, health or housing might impact your ability to care for them. 

Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.

We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well supporting with debt, grants and benefits.

The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.

For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.

Other support

Scottish Assistance Dog Association 

They have a lot of useful advice about whether getting an assistance dog is for you and can support you with the journey. Read more on their website.  

Give a Dog a Bone…and an animal a home 

An animal charity that tackles loneliness and animal rehoming by supporting the over 60s to afford a rescue pet companion.    

Contact them at 07969 742 858, email hello@giveadogabone.net or visit their website for more information.