Most dog and cat owners claim that deciding to bring a four-legged friend into their lives was one of the best choices they’ve ever made. However, a new study has cast doubt on the happiness boost for those who surround themselves with furry companions.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
A team of veterinary researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest studied the short-term and long-term effects of acquiring a new pet during the COVID pandemic.
The study involved 65 volunteers who adopted pets during the pandemic and 75 individuals who lost their pets.
Over six months, participants filled out surveys about their well-being and mental health, while veterinarians analyzed responses collected before and after pet ownership, as well as following the loss of any pets.
Judith Mokos, a co-author of the study, shared some insights from the findings: “What surprised me the most was that the arrival of a new pet did not improve the well-being of lonely respondents.” She found this surprising, as dogs and cats are typically seen by psychologists as a remedy for loneliness.
Instead, the research indicated that pets do not solve the problem of loneliness, as reported by the Daily Mail. “Rather, they tend to make owners feel more anxious,” said Ms. Mokos.
The research team stated that the initial mood boost is quite fleeting, possibly because pet owners often have inflated expectations about life with an animal.
“In the first few months, these initial expectations combined with the novelty effect of having a pet can ‘mask problems.’ However, as the novelty wears off, unrealistic expectations and the associated challenges can negatively impact the owner’s well-being,” the researchers explained.
They also found that acquiring a cat negatively affects a person’s activity level. This is largely because new cat owners tend to spend more time at home.
Another co-author of the study, Eniko Kubinyi, added: “According to our data, many people living with a pet do not become overly attached to it.”
“Perhaps the dynamics of the pandemic led many to make impulsive choices that contradicted their usual interests. But only certain categories of people, such as animal lovers or elderly individuals living alone, truly benefit more from having cats or dogs during stressful times,” she noted.
The team shared their findings in an article for the journal Scientific Reports. In it, the researchers wrote: “Our findings challenge the common belief that acquiring a pet leads to long-term improvements in well-being.”
One reason for the unexpected results from pet ownership is that the challenges of caring for pets “can outweigh the initial benefits.”
It’s quite possible that the anxiety associated with having a dog or cat stems from veterinary bills, food expenses, travel restrictions (due to the inability to take the pet along), and issues with a pet’s disobedience. Of course, losing a pet is a significant stressor for any owner.
Despite these findings, previous research conducted by the same university showed that dog owners rate their bond with their pets as better than their relationships with friends, romantic partners, and even children.