Pet Ownership Did Not Improve Mental Health in Pandemic

Author: Aarhus University
Published: 5 Sep 2024 - Updated: 4 Nov 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Survey, Analysis

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This research from Aarhus University and King's College London, published in 2024 in Mental Health and Prevention and peer reviewed, followed 6,018 adults in the UK for a year during the COVID-19 pandemic to test whether owning a pet improved mental health. Using standard scales for depression, anxiety, anhedonia and loneliness, it found no mental health benefit from pet ownership, and pet owners in fact reported slightly higher levels of depression, anxiety and anhedonia than non-owners. The one benefit was a small drop in loneliness among dog and cat owners who lived alone. The findings matter for anyone thinking of getting a pet to cope with low mood, including people with disabilities, seniors and those living alone, and for clinicians and media who often present pets as a remedy for mental health problems.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Women were more likely than men to own cats, at 30.3 percent versus 22.7 percent.
• 2 - Female cat owners were no more lonely, depressed or anxious than male cat owners.
• 3 - Dog owners exercised more often, but the extra activity did not improve their mental health.
• 4 - The data came from the Repeated Assessment of Mental Health in Pandemics study using scales such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7.

Topic Definition

Anhedonia

Anhedonia is a reduced ability to feel pleasure or interest in activities that a person would normally enjoy, such as hobbies, food, music, social contact or sex. It is a core symptom of depression and can also occur with schizophrenia, substance use disorders and some neurological conditions, and it is usually measured in research with questionnaires that ask how much enjoyment people get from everyday experiences.

Overview

We all remember news stories about the so-called "pandemic puppies" and the soaring number of pet adoptions in countries all over the world as the COVID-19 lockdowns brought social life to a halt in 2020.

The sudden surge in pet ownership was largely attributed to people seeking comfort and companionship from animals to cope with things like isolation, anxiety, and depression. However, a new comprehensive study, conducted by researchers from Aarhus University and King's College London, suggests that the benefits of owning a pet might be overstated.

The study, published in 2024 in Mental Health & Prevention, reveals that pet ownership does not necessarily offer the emotional boost many people expect.

No Mental Health Benefits Found

The study tracked 6,018 individuals in the UK over a 12-month period, assessing their levels of depression, anxiety, anhedonia (loss of pleasure), and loneliness.

Contrary to popular assumptions, the study found no evidence that pet ownership improved these mental health outcomes. In fact, pet owners reported slightly worse mental health outcomes compared to non-owners.

"Although the body of research done on the topic has been mixed, we were genuinely surprised to find that pet owners generally experienced slightly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and anhedonia during the COVID-19 pandemic," says lead author of the study Professor Christine Parsons from the Department of Clinical Medicine. "This runs counter to a prevailing public belief that pets are beneficial for mental health."

Testing the Validity of the Lassie Effect

Another commonly held belief is that dog owners in particular benefit from increased physical activity and a more structured daily routine, which in turn might lead to improved mental health.

Here researchers found that dog owners really were more likely to engage in daily exercise (40% compared to 35% of non-owners).

However, this increased activity did not correlate with better mental health outcomes and no significant difference was found between dog owners and non-owners with regards to maintaining a daily structure.

The Myth of The Lonely Cat Lady

The only area where pet ownership provides a mental health benefit is in relation to loneliness. In popular culture, the trope of the 'Cat lady' is a lonely, anxious woman with mental health issues. The new study also gave researchers the opportunity to test some of these cultural assumptions against reality.

Among individuals living alone, both dog and cat owners reported slightly lower levels of loneliness than those without pets. Even though the effects were small, they ran opposite to the lonely 'Cat lady' trope.

For those living as couples, families, or roommates, pet owners reported no measurable difference in the feeling of loneliness.

While women in the study were clearly more likely to own cats (30.3% compared to 22.7% in males), they were not more lonely, depressed, anxious or anhedonic than men who owned cats.

Hope For a More Informed Public Conversation

According to Professor Christine Parsons, this new study will be useful in managing expectations about the mental health benefits of pet ownership. She hopes that the results will nuance the public perception and media coverage, which she and her team of researchers have shown to be in favor of the positive narrative.

"Our findings suggest that while pets can provide companionship, they are by no means a cure-all for mental health issues, especially during stressful times like a pandemic," says Christine Parsons. Dr. Katherine Young, the senior author, notes: "This study adds to the mixed body of research on pet ownership and mental health. While some previous studies have suggested benefits, the large, longitudinal nature of this research provides robust evidence to the contrary."

The Research Results

The study is based on 6,018 responses from online questionnaires as part of the Repeated Assessment of Mental Health in Pandemics (RAMP) study and uses international standards for measuring mental health, such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, MASQ-AD, and UCLA Loneliness Scale.

The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from King's College London.

Funding for the study comes from the Carlsberg Foundation's Young Investigator Fellowship and MQ - Mental Health Charity.

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Are emotional support animals the same as service animals?

No, in the United States service animals are dogs trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, while emotional support animals provide comfort without task training and have fewer legal access rights.

Can pets still help people with depression?

Some people find that a pet gives them routine, purpose and companionship that help them cope. Research results are mixed, so a pet should be seen as a possible support rather than a treatment.

What is the Lassie effect?

The Lassie effect is a popular term for the belief that owning a dog improves health and well-being. This study tested that idea and found no clear mental health benefit.

Why might pet owners report worse mental health?

People who already had poor mental health may have been more likely to get a pet during the pandemic, and caring for an animal can add stress, cost and worry.

What is a longitudinal study?

A longitudinal study follows the same people over a period of time, measuring them more than once. This design can show changes better than a single snapshot survey.

Is animal-assisted therapy effective?

Animal-assisted therapy, where trained animals take part in structured sessions, has shown benefits for some people in small studies. Larger high-quality trials are still needed.

What should I consider before getting a pet for companionship?

Think about the cost of food and vet care, your energy and mobility, housing rules, allergies and who would care for the animal if you became ill. Fostering can be a way to try first.

Where can I get help for loneliness or low mood?

A primary care provider can discuss treatment options and local support services. Community groups, volunteering and peer support programs can also help reduce loneliness.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The idea that pets are good for mental health is so widely accepted that it shapes adoption campaigns, therapy programs and news coverage, which is why a large longitudinal study finding no benefit deserves attention. The results do not mean pets are harmful: people who were already struggling may have been more likely to get a pet during lockdown, and the study measured averages rather than the bond between a person and a particular animal. What the research does suggest is that a pet is not a treatment for depression or anxiety and should not replace professional care. For people who live alone, including many older and disabled adults, the small easing of loneliness may still be meaningful when weighed against the cost and work of looking after an animal.*

Attribution/Source(s): This peer-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by Aarhus University and published on 5 Sep 2024. Last updated on 4 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.