New research by Admiral Pet Insurance has uncovered a striking truth about the nation’s wellbeing: for many Brits, nothing lifts the spirits quite like spending time with their pets.
According to a survey of 2,000 UK dog and cat owners, 94% say their pet boosts their wellbeing – with the majority (37%) also saying pets have a higher impact on their wellbeing than regular exercise, a good diet, sleep and even socialising. 70% say companionship is the best part of pet ownership, while over half (52%) report feeling less lonely thanks to their furry friend.
The research also found that 31% of pet owners feel more able to cope with stress, 29% feel stronger emotionally, and 39% have become more physically active thanks to their pets – showing the impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. And our unique emotional connections with our pets goes even further: 91% of cat owners and 95% of dog owners say their pet can sense their emotional state.
With 97% citing pets as a vital source of companionship, Admiral set out to measure the true emotional benefits of pet ownership with science in a unique study with TV’s top fitness warrior and dog lover, Livi Sheldon.
Working with Dr Gareth Arnott, Professor from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, Admiral challenged Livi to undergo a three-day biometric study involving a heart monitor and daily psychological assessments to measure how time with her pets affects her emotionally and physically. The study saw the 31-year-old spend a night at home without her dogs, Roxy and Fudge, to highlight the significant impact they have on her emotional wellbeing.
The results were striking: Livi’s negative emotions shot up by 90% when her dogs weren’t around, with her heart rate spiking by 49% with excitement when reunited the next day – showing a clear correlation between ownership and improved emotional wellbeing. By the third morning, after spending their first night together since being reunited, her heart rate dropped to one of its lowest points in the three days – highlighting how Roxy and Fudge’s presence makes Livi feel calmer and more relaxed.
Speaking about the experience, Livi said: “Fudge and Roxy mean the absolute world to me, they’re not just pets, they’re a huge part of my daily routine and my emotional wellbeing. Being away from them, even just for one night during the study, really hit me harder than I expected. It made me realise just how much comfort and calm they bring into my life. It was tough, but it also reminded me of how strong our bond is – they’re my little anchors, and I wouldn’t be me without them.”
Commenting on the new study, Dr Gareth Arnott – who previously found that dogs are able to detect stress levels in their owners and mirror these emotions – said: “We challenged Livi to spend a period of time separated from Roxy and Fudge, as part of tracking how they influence her overall wellbeing. Over three days we assessed the strength of their bond, tracked her emotional state and monitored her heart as an indicator of her stress levels.
“Livi had a clear rise in negative emotions when separated from her two dogs, with a significant reduction in heart rate the morning after they were reunited – highlighting the positive impact that spending time with our pets has on our emotional wellbeing and stress response rates.”
To celebrate our pets, Admiral is encouraging Brits to take a paws and consider the true value of their furry friends. Admiral’s Veterinary Specialist, Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC APVN, explains why pets are more than cute companions:
“Our study shows 70% of owners say companionship is the best part of pet ownership – but we wanted to set out to show that pets have so much more of a benefit on our physical and emotional wellbeing. We’ve shown that pets can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, increase physical activity, and promote social interaction. They can also help us deal with loneliness and contribute to overall satisfaction.”
