Research On Companion Animal Effect On Health
This opinion piece from The New York Times summarizes previous research findings relating human health and happiness to the possession of companion animals. Professor Hal Herzog concludes that the cumulative evidence presented by these research pieces do not conclusively show that animal companionship is positively associated with better overall health.
Various studies suggest that the companionship provided by companion animals to their owners has a direct, beneficial effect on the health and happiness of the owners. Specifically, living with a companion animal has been linked to lower blood pressure, less depression, lower cholesterol, better sleep habits, and fewer sick days than non-owners. However, other research studies show the opposite including a 2006 Pew Research Center report which found that living with a companion animal did not make people any happier. Additionally, a 2000 Australian study found no evidence that those living with companion animals lived longer than anyone else, and in 2010, Dutch researchers concluded that companion animals had no effect on their owners’ physical or mental well-being. Furthermore a 2006 report from Finland found that those living with companion animals were more likely than non-owners to suffer from certain diseases including sciatica, kidney disease, arthritis, migraines, panic attacks, high blood pressure and depression.
In sum, additional research and information is needed to positively conclude that companion animals have a positive medical effect upon their owners.