Are pets good for your mental health? batyr Australia

Are pets GOOD for your mental health?

Did you know that almost 70% of Aussie households have a pet? There’s no doubt that animals make a big impact on our wellbeing, with 85% of owners saying their pets have positively impacted their lives.*

As animal-assisted therapy treatments and pet ownership become more popular, it’s important to consider if owning a pet is right for you, and other ways you can feel the physical and mental benefits of being around animals.

The plus side of pets

Whether you’re a dog or cat person, or own another type of pets like birds, fish, rabbits, reptiles or horses, many studies show that a domestic companion can improve mental and physical wellbeing:

They’re often a great way to get you moving - just like you, pets also need fresh air and exercise.
Pets won’t talk back – this can be comforting when human relationships are strained, or if you’re feeling lonely or isolated.
Looking after a pet is a responsibility, which can give you a sense of purpose and help you establish a healthy routine.

They can ease stress and anxiety - pets can help reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.*
Pets are often a great conversation starter, helping to increase social interaction and meet new people.
Your pet thinks you’re amazing, even if you’re not feeling that way yourself.

Things to consider before getting a pet

In some cases, pet ownership could make things worse - for example, the financial strain, and the extra time or space needed to care for them. It’s also important to remember that pets, like people, are all different. They experience a full spectrum of emotions like anxiety, loneliness, and frustration - which means they may not always behave the same or how you’re expecting them to.

If you’re considering getting a pet, ask yourself these questions:

Do I have enough money to pay for food and potential vet bills?
Do I have capacity for the day-to-day responsibilities of owning a pet? This could include feeding, walking them, and being home enough to care for them.
Am I prepared to look after my pet for its whole lifespan? This could be 10 - 15 years or more.

What will I do with my pet if I’m away from home or on holidays?
Will the responsibility of having a pet be too much for me? If you’re already experiencing mental ill-health, a pet could potentially pile on too much pressure.

Other options if you can't own a pet

The reality is owning a pet doesn’t fit into every lifestyle - you could be renting or living in a pet-free environment, you may not have the time, money or mental capacity to own a pet, or maybe you’re allergic to certain types of pets. There are other ways you can benefit from being around animals without actually owning one yourself:

Volunteer at a local rescue or animal shelter - not only will you probably get to meet lots of different pets, you’ll also be giving back to your community and animals in need in a super meaningful way.
Hanging out with friends or family member’s pets - you could go for a walk with a friend who regularly walks their dog, or spend some quality time with a relative who owns an animal.

Animal-assisted therapy - this is a type of therapy involving trained, domestic animals (often horses or dogs) that are used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy. Your school or uni campus may have a therapy dog that you can hang out with, or you could explore private animal therapy sessions through a qualified psychologist.
Consider pet-sitting - You could look after an animal for a friend, neighbour or relative while they’re away, or earn some extra cash looking after animals through websites like MadPaws.

Remember, while pets provide so many benefits to our daily lives and are a valuable source of companionship and self-care, they aren’t a substitute for professional mental health support. If you find yourself needing to chat, there’s always someone to talk to, check out the Get Support page.

batyr is a youth mental health organisation driven by young people for young people. We empower young people to take charge of their mental health early and often.

The information on this page is intended as a general guide only and is not a substitute for professional, personalised mental health support.

If you need support, visit our Get Support page for a comprehensive list of free, confidential mental health services available to you.

Get Support

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