The Mental Health Benefits of Pets

I have a pet hamster named Viktor.

Most of my past pets were hamsters. When I was little, I gave little thought to taking care of them. Instead, I left that up to my mom or older brother. I was interested in playing with them, though. It usually didn’t work out since we never formed close bonds.

Eventually, I stopped owning pets. The thought of having one again crossed my mind occasionally, but I never acted on it until the summer of this year. I decided that I was more than ready for the commitment. So, I started scouring countless videos, forums, articles, and blog posts to up my knowledge of hamster care.

With the help of my mom, I set up a big cage with lots of toys and space to burrow. We delayed getting my hamster for quite a long time–until October. After my brother offered to pay for him, I finally brought Viktor home. He’s a winter white dwarf with red eyes. I jokingly refer to him as a vampire. He was skittish at first but warmed up to the new environment as time went on.

Below are the benefits I’ve reaped from having Viktor.

Joy. Animals are cute! A study done at the University of Oxford says that cuteness activates a part of our brain linked to positive emotions and compassion. Watching Viktor spin on his wheel, eat, or bathe in sand cheers me up instantaneously–especially when I’m angry or upset.

Responsibility. Taking care of an animal requires routine. In my case, I refill Viktor’s water bottle with fresh water daily. If needed, I also give him more food. In 2 or 3-day intervals, I scoop out soiled areas in his cage. At the end of the month, I clean out half of it. Since my younger self missed out on attending to my pet’s needs, I’ve come to realize that fulfilling this routine actually feels relaxing and rewarding.

Soothing loneliness. Pets aren’t people, but they’re still good remedies for loneliness. In a survey done by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 80% of pet owners report that pets decrease their feelings of loneliness. Interpersonal relationships are likely to improve too as people bond over their animals. In the same study, 54% of pet owners say their pet helps them connect with other people.

Exercise. Dogs in particular are beneficial to your physical health, which will subsequently improve your mental wellness. Researchers have proved that exercise positively impacts your mood. No matter their temperament, pets need lots of playtime and exercise. Throwing a ball around in a game of catch or taking them on walks are great examples. Even completing basic routines for them–such as refilling food bowls or bathing–get you moving.

Although it’s likely you’ll experience the benefits listed in this blog post, here’s a quick disclaimer: please consider your financial situation, lifestyle, and level of commitment before adopting a pet. If all are optimal, then both you and your pet will be satisfied!

Works Cited:

Kringelbach, Morten. “How Cute Things Hijack Our Brains and Drive Behaviour.” University of Oxford, The Conversation, 4 July 2016, ox.ac.uk/research/how-cute-things-hijack-our-brains-and-drive-behaviour. Web. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024. 

“Social Isolation & Loneliness.” HABRI, 21 July 2020, habri.org/research/mental-health/social-isolation/. Web. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024. 

Uclahealth. “The Link between Exercise and Mental Health.” UCLA Health, UCLA, 17 Oct. 2018, uclahealth.org/news/article/the-link-between-exercise-and-mental-health. Web. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.