Reevaluating the 'pawsitive' impact: MSU study questions effect of pets on owner happiness

Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read

A lot of people say pets have a “pawsitive” impact on their lives, but a recent study indicates they didn’t increase happiness for owners during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a news release from Michigan State University (MSU), a new study revealed that while pet owners reported pets positively improving their lives, there was no reliable association between pet ownership and well-being during COVID-19.

The study evaluated 767 people more than three times in May 2020 and looked for multiple indicators of well-being. Pet owners said pets made them happy, providing positive emotions, affection, and companionship.

However, when factors of happiness in pet owners were compared to non-pet owners, the data reflected no difference in the well-being of the individuals over time.

William Chopik, associate professor in MSU’s Department of Psychology and co-author of the study, said pet ownership may not be as effective as one may think.

“People say that pets make them happy, but when we actually measure happiness, that doesn’t appear to be the case,” said Chopik. “People see friends as lonely or wanting companionship, and they recommend getting a pet. But it’s unlikely that it’ll be as transformative as people think.”

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The study explored several reasons why there is no difference between the well-being of pet owners and non-pet owners. One is that non-pet owners may have filled their lives with a variety of other things that increase happiness.

“Staking all of your hope on a pet making you feel better is probably unfair and is maybe costly given other things you could do in your life that could improve your happiness,” added Chopik.

The study was published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. For the full study, click here.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Reevaluating the 'pawsitive' impact: MSU study questions effect of pets on owner happiness