A groundbreaking study suggests that the bond between humans and pets can be as emotionally fulfilling as marriage. In fact, for many pet owners, the companionship of a dog or cat may provide the same—or even greater—life satisfaction as romantic relationships.
Published in Social Indicators Research, the study, conducted by researchers from the University of Kent and the London School of Economics, investigates how owning a dog or cat affects health and happiness, drawing comparisons to the benefits of marriage.
Using data from a UK household survey, the researchers introduced a unique calculation called the “life satisfaction approach,” a method developed by economists to assess the “implicit value” of different life factors. According to previous studies, marriage was valued at around £70,000 annually, while divorce could result in a £170,000 deficit.
Interestingly, the study found that owning a pet could yield up to £70,000 worth of life satisfaction each year, mirroring the happiness benefits of marriage. This suggests that pets provide more than just companionship—they could have a profound impact on mental well-being, offering emotional support similar to that of familial relationships.
When it comes to choosing the best pet for well-being, the researchers found mixed results. While dogs might offer greater emotional benefits, their higher “maintenance costs,” such as the need for frequent walks, were noted. Cats, on the other hand, were found to be less demanding, although they might not provide the same level of satisfaction as dogs.
The researchers acknowledge that further studies are necessary to determine whether pets make people healthier and happier, or if happier people are simply more likely to adopt pets. Nonetheless, their findings strongly support the idea that pets play a significant role in enhancing human life satisfaction—potentially filling the emotional void left by family and friends.
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