A new study on pet ownership and mental health found that 56% of Americans would actually trade years off their own life to extend their pet’s lifespan. Because let’s be real — your dog’s loyalty >>> most humans you’ve dated.
And it’s not just love — it’s science. Pets don’t just make us feel good, they literally keep us alive. Three in five people say their pet has saved their life — emotionally, mentally, or even physically.
Some people even get pets specifically to help their mental health. 34% say that was their goal, and 95% of those people say it worked. Basically, pets are walking, barking, purring therapists with fur.
Before getting a pet, only 32% of people rated their mental health as an A. Afterward? That jumped to 71%.
Here’s where it gets intense: 41% of pet owners say they can feel their mental health slipping after just two hours apart. On average, it only takes five hours before the “I miss my fur baby” spiral hits full force.
But it’s not all heavy. The average pet makes their owner smile 11 times a day and laugh nine times — even if they also chew up your sneakers, bark at ghosts, or try to fight the vacuum.
So yeah, we’d probably give up a few years if it meant just one more summer walk, couch cuddle, or wagging-tail greeting.
Because in the end… they’re not just pets. They’re part of the family.
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