What Your Pet Actually Does to Your Body (According to Science)

I've spent the last few weeks digging through research papers, meta-analyses, and clinical studies about pet ownership and health outcomes. Most of the research I'm citing comes from US-based institutions, not because I'm ignoring the rest of the world (I'm writing this from South Africa, after all), but because the US has produced the most extensive body of peer-reviewed, large-scale studies on this topic.

I’m not looking into this because I am sceptical. I know that having pets makes us feel better. But I wanted to know how much better, and whether the science backs up what millions of pet owners already sense.

It turns out that it does. (No big surprise really). And the numbers are more compelling than I expected.

The Mental Health Numbers Are Hard to Ignore

According to the American Psychiatric Association's 2025 national poll, 81% of pet owners say their pets have a positive impact on their mental health. That's not a small margin.

But here's the part that caught my attention: 87% of pet owners report experiencing mental health improvements from pet ownership, and more than one in five have had a pet recommended by a doctor or therapist. Pets aren't just companions. They're being prescribed as part of treatment plans.

A 2025 research review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that young adults reported positive impacts of their pet dogs and cats on anxiety and depression symptoms. The animals provided temporary relief during moments of interaction.

Temporary relief matters. It can be the difference between spiralling and stabilizing.

Your Dog Is Making You Move More Than You Think

I walk my dog twice a day. I don't think about it as exercise, but the data shows I should. Dog owners are 54% more likely to meet the recommended level of physical activity than non-pet owners, according to research cited by HABRI and the American Heart Association.

Over 60% of dog owners meet the recommended weekly amount of exercise: 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

That's not because dog owners are inherently more active. It's because dogs demand routine. They need walks, they need movement, and we follow through because we have to. The structure creates the habit.

The Heart Health Connection Is Real

Here's where the research gets serious.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Annals of General Psychiatry found that dog ownership is associated with a 24% reduction in overall mortality and a 31% reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths. For people with prior heart events who had a dog living at home, there was a 65% reduced risk of death.

That's not a marginal difference. That's a life-or-death difference.

The American Heart Association's scientific statement connects pet ownership to decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Studies show dog ownership is linked to lower blood pressure, improved lipid profiles, and diminished sympathetic responses to stress. Your dog isn't just keeping you company. Your dog is keeping you alive.

Loneliness and Aging: The Overlooked Benefit

Older adults who own pets report a reduction in stress and loneliness while experiencing an increase in activity and overall quality of life. Those with strong connections to their pets report lower rates of depression and better management of conditions like Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

A cross-sectional study of over 800 older adults found that pet owners living alone are 36% less likely to report loneliness than non-owners.

HABRI research shows that 85% of respondents agree that interaction with pets can help reduce loneliness. 80% of pet owners say their pet makes them feel less lonely. 

Loneliness isn't just an emotional state. It's a health risk. It's linked to higher mortality rates, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Pets provide routine, purpose, and connection. They give people a reason to get up in the morning.

What This Means for You

I'm not suggesting that pets are a cure-all. They're not.

But the evidence shows they're more than emotional support. They're physiological support. They change how your body responds to stress, how often you move, and how connected you feel to the world around you.

At Petverse, we're building tools that help you protect and care for the animals that are already protecting and caring for you. Real-time GPS tracking, wellness monitoring and activity tracking. These aren't just features. They're ways to ensure the relationship that's keeping you healthier, stays strong.

Because the science is clear: your pet is doing more for you than you realize. And they deserve the same level of care in return.