How Cats and Dogs Affect Their Owners' Stress Levels
On June 17, research from the Open University in the Netherlands was published by Science Alert, examining how cats and dogs influence their owners' stress. The key finding: more intense interactions with cats during stressful moments are linked to significantly stronger negative emotions, while interactions with dogs showed no statistically significant impact on stress.
The study analyzed data from 188 pet owners who had cats, dogs, or both. Data was collected using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) through a smartphone app. While time spent with pets was generally associated with more positive emotions and fewer negative ones, it did not reduce stress levels when stress actually occurred.
“Interacting with neither cats nor dogs protected people from negative experiences,” said Maike Janssens.
Sanne Peters suggests that interacting with cats tends to be more passive and less demanding, which may trigger stronger emotional reactions. Notably, the study only measured the intensity of contact, not the specific nature of the interaction.
Fewer cat owners than dog owners participated in the study, which could affect the overall conclusions. Still, the findings confirm that:
- The positive effect of pet interaction on well-being is real.
- This effect likely does not come from pets helping people cope better with stress in the moment.
In short, while interacting with pets may improve overall emotional states, it is not an effective way to reduce stress during active stress episodes.
Implications for Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals
These findings are especially relevant for psychologists and mental health experts, highlighting the need for a deeper analysis of human-animal interactions. Identifying which aspects of these interactions could help reduce stress may support the development of new strategies for emotional well-being. The study also raises fresh questions about the roles different animals play in their owners' lives and how they might influence human emotions.