With Mental Health Awareness Week underway, research from PD Insurance showed how strongly New Zealanders believe their pets contribute to their happiness, wellbeing, and sense of connection.
PD Insurance’s Human-Pet Bond Survey, which gathered 1,840 responses from Kiwi pet owners, found that an overwhelming 99.7 percent said their pets make their lives happier or more fulfilling.
And while it may not surprise you that love, cuddles, and cuteness topped the list of reasons why, the findings suggest the benefits of pet ownership go well beyond a warm welcome at the end of the day.
62.5 percent said their pet helps them cope better with stress or tough times, while 57.2 percent said their pet gives them a sense of purpose or makes them feel needed.
One pet owner described the relationship with their dog in even more powerful terms.
My dog is my emotional support dog; he has literally saved my life and instinctively knows what to do in triggering situations.
Michelle Le Long, COO of PD Insurance, said the findings highlight the often-underestimated role pets play in their owners’ everyday wellbeing.
“We often talk about pets in terms of companionship, but these findings show that for many people, that companionship is woven into how they get through the day, whether that means having someone to come home to, a reason to get outside, or simply a comforting presence beside you when things feel difficult,” she said.
Belonging matters
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is ‘Belonging Matters’, and the survey suggested pets can play an important role in helping their owners feel connected to others.
51 percent of respondents said their pet makes them feel less lonely, while 27.3 percent said their pet makes it easier for them to be more social. More strikingly, 65.1 percent said their pet had helped them meet or connect with people they otherwise might not have.
“Pets are natural conversation starters. A walk around the neighbourhood can suddenly turn into a conversation with a neighbour, a dog park can become a community, and even standing on the street with a pet can create a little moment of connection.”
A reason to get up
The survey also suggested pets encourage habits that support mental wellbeing. 83.7 percent of respondents said having a pet has encouraged healthier routines, while 78.9 percent said their pet has motivated them to be more physically active.
Almost half have made lifestyle changes because of their pet, with 36.3 percent saying they have reduced their screen time. And for 25.9 percent pets also help them sleep better.
Benefits across generations
The benefits of pet ownership can extend across generations. Among respondents with children, 96.9 percent said their pet contributes positively to their child’s wellbeing, while most with elderly family members said their pet contributes to their wellbeing.
One respondent described giving their 86-year-old grandmother a cat after the death of her husband. Another said sending photos and updates about their dog helps elderly relatives feel connected and brightens their day.
When the hard moments come
For some pet owners, their animals provide comfort during grief, anxiety and other difficult periods.
“My dogs helped me cope with the loss of my brother by just being there in the sad moments, having cuddles, or being silly geese and breaking up that silence with laughter,” said one respondent.
Another described how their cats helped during depression: “They didn’t ask questions or try to fix anything. They just showed up. Every morning, they would curl up beside me, their soft purring like a heartbeat reminding me I wasn’t alone.”
Another respondent said: “When I am having a panic attack one of my girls picks up on it and will sit on me.” And sometimes, the comfort comes down to something incredibly simple. “Having snuggles if sad or unwell is the best medicine!”
Le Long said these stories should not be taken to mean pets are a substitute for professional mental health support.
“Pets aren’t therapists, and they can’t replace professional help that’s required when someone is struggling,” she said.
“But what these findings show is the extraordinary place animals can occupy in our lives. They give us companionship, routine, affection and connection, and sometimes, simply a reason to keep going through a difficult day.”
With ‘Belonging Matters’ at the heart of Mental Health Awareness Week, Kiwi pet owners’ message is clear: sometimes belonging has four legs, a wagging tail, a wet nose, or a very determined purr.
