🐾4 Do Pets Heal Our Hearts? What Science Reveals About the Human–Animal Bond and Mental Wellbeing

— What New Research Reveals About Attachment and Mental Wellbeing —

💡 A Trusted International Collaboration

In October 2025, researchers from La Trobe University in Australia, in collaboration with scientists from The University of Melbourne and Monash University, published a new study in the international open-access journal Animals (MDPI).

The paper, titled:
The Relationship Between Attachment to Pets and Mental Health and Wellbeing
is a systematic review that analyzed dozens of previous studies to understand how the bond between pets and their owners relates to emotional health and wellbeing.

This research is open access, meaning you can read the full text for free:
📘 Read the full article on MDPI

🐕‍🦺 Is Love for Our Pets Always “Good Medicine”?

Most of us feel calmer and happier when our pets are near — and that’s absolutely natural.
But this new review offers a more nuanced perspective.

It suggests that a strong attachment to pets doesn’t always guarantee better mental health.
In some cases, that deep emotional bond can even become a source of stress or emotional strain.

🔬 Study Overview: Reviewing Data from Around the World

The researchers carefully reviewed 116 studies from around the world.
They examined how the strength of pet attachment was related to feelings such as loneliness, stress, and overall happiness.

Their findings were clear:
The relationship between attachment and mental health is not a simple “the stronger, the better” correlation.

🧭 Results: What Matters Most Is Balance, Not Depth

Loving your pet deeply is a beautiful thing. But when that love becomes overly dependent — when a pet becomes the only emotional anchor — it can increase anxiety, fear of loss, or loneliness.

In contrast, owners who maintain a calm, balanced relationship — treating their pet as a respected partner rather than an emotional crutch — tend to report higher wellbeing.

In other words:
It’s not about how deeply you love, but how you love.

🌿 Finding Emotional Balance

Many pet parents feel, “I can’t live without my furry one.”
That feeling is a reflection of love — but this research gently reminds us of something important:

Your own emotional stability helps your pet feel safe, too.

Caring for your pet also means caring for yourself. Self-kindness and love for your companion go hand in hand.

🕯️ Everyday Ways to Nurture a Calm, Healthy Bond

• 🌸 Pet-safe aroma diffuser — A gentle scent can help both you and your pet unwind together.
• 📔 Mindfulness journal — Write one line each day about something your pet made you grateful for. It boosts emotional awareness and calm.
• 🛋️ Quiet shared time — Sometimes, doing “nothing together” is the most healing form of connection.

💬 In Summary: A Relationship That Nurtures Both Sides

Our pets bring comfort, laughter, and love into our lives. To keep that bond truly healthy, we need both affection and independence.

When we take time to restore our own wellbeing, we create space for a gentler, more resilient connection — one that heals both hearts, human and animal alike.

📖 Source

Northrope K., Shnookal J., Ruby M. B., Howell T. J. (2025).
The Relationship Between Attachment to Pets and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Systematic Review.
Animals, 15(8):1143. DOI: 10.3390/ani15081143

Mindful

ブロガー/獣医師・博士(獣医学)/DVM Ph.D.

心でつながるペットケア、やさしい科学をモットーに、最新の研究情報について発信している。