By: Meg Wiles—Intern

There’s no denying the bond between humans and animals. From dogs to cats to birds to goldfish, human beings seem to be naturally inclined towards appreciating the companionship of an animal, particularly domesticated pets. The causes and effects of our strong desire for animal interaction have been the subject of many scientific studies and theories. The draw towards animals seems to stem from both biological and psychological components. 

Biologically, people are generally inclined towards interacting with and appreciating nature, particularly animals. This is known as the “biophilia hypothesis.” It describes the tendency of humans to focus on life or lifelike things. When shown quickly flashing photos, human test subjects were more likely to remember animals in the pictures than inanimate objects. In studies on brain activity, the amygdala (the part of the brain which stores memories and processes emotions) was more active when subjects were shown photos of animals than those of landmarks, objects, or even celebrities. This may explain the desire to have an animal nearby all the time, in the form of a pet. 

There’s also evidence to suggest that dog owners experience a release of oxytocin (a brain hormone associated with feelings of intimacy, love, and trust) when looking at their dogs. Their dogs also experienced a similar rush of oxytocin when being stroked by their owners. This indicates that pets can fill a similar role in our lives as friends and family. The idea that people seek relationships with animals to provide emotional connection and decrease feelings of loneliness and stress is called the “social support theory.”

The process of domestication, particularly in dogs as they’ve been domesticated the longest of any animal, has changed the behavior of animals and the way they connect to humans emotionally. Domesticated dogs display abilities that their wild counterparts do not. Pet dogs can recognize individual faces of people they are familiar with and follow the point or gaze of a person. In fact, only domestic dogs can understand the intentions of humans based on their behavior without being specially trained. This ability is known as having a theory of mind. But it goes both ways: people can make inferences about a dog’s emotion based on facial expression— even people who have never owned a dog. 

Some psychological perspectives view pets as sources of “self objects.” A self-object is a need satisfied by someone or something which provides a person with a sense of support or affirmation to their sense of self. In a way, a self-object is at the core of someone’s identity and well-being, and without it, they may experience a sense of falling apart. (Technically, the pet itself is not considered a self-object, rather the effect of the pet on their owner’s life fulfills the self-object function). When a pet serves this role in a person’s life, the reliance on that animal can be very intense deeply-rooted. This explains why some pet owners feel a strong sense of separation anxiety when they are unable to be around their pet for an extended period of time. In those relationships, the behavior or personality of the animal may not even necessarily be relevant to the feelings it gives its owner. It’s more about the presence of the animal and the ability of the person to project their needs on the pet. Although, not every pet owner exhibits that level of dependency on their animal. Plenty of animal-lovers feel a companionship or love for their pet without those feeling becoming a pivotal part of their emotional stability. 

Regardless of the reasons for choosing to adopt a pet, there is some evidence that pet ownership can benefit your health, especially in relation to stress. In a study which focused on stockbrokers with hypertension, participants were randomly assigned which group they would be a part of: adopting a cat, adopting a dog, or adopting no pet. In lab studies with the subjects, they were given stressful tasks and their blood pressure was monitored to observe changes. Pet-owners initially began the tasks already presenting lower baseline blood pressure, and reacted less during the stressful activities than non-pet owners. Their stress reactions were especially diminished when the pets were in the room while they completed the tasks.

There is much debate over whether pet ownership can be decidedly linked to an improvement in mental or physical health, but there is a reliable amount of evidence that social interaction helps to mediate the effects of stress by providing support to help people manage negative emotions. Loneliness and depression can have very damaging impacts on a person’s overall health, and the companionship of a human or animal can alleviate those feelings. This is magnified by the impression that pets are non-judgemental, making them, in some cases, more relaxing to be with than other people. Relationships with pets are also less likely to result in a falling out and therefore may provide greater feelings of stability. However, it is important to note that pets are not considered a replacement for human social interaction.

Pets are also considered a positive influence on psychological development for children. Having a pet promotes confidence and self-esteem, empathy, and healthy interaction in social and athletic activities. Particularly for adolescents, having an animal as a companion is a source of comfort and reassurance in times of depression or low self-esteem, helping teens to transition into adulthood. In adulthood, these feelings of affection and friendship with animals continue, providing unconditional love and support in difficult situations. Many adults consider their pets to be members of their family. In fact, as people age into the later years of life, when loss comes more often, having an animal can lessen feelings of loneliness and grief, especially in those who live alone.

Animals are an important part of many people’s lives. Owning a pet is an enormous responsibility, but to those who are capable and willing to bring an animal into their home, the bond is unique and irreplaceable. While a pet is not a replacement for human socialization, it can fulfill an emotional need and have a profound positive impact on the life of its owner. Those who have had pets-- of any kind-- know just how special that connection is, and how much joy it can bring into their lives.