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| Happy woman relaxing with her dog and cat |
For millions of people, pets are more than just companions—they're valued members of the family. Research has consistently shown that spending time with animals can improve mood, reduce feelings of loneliness, and increase overall emotional well-being. But do cats and dogs provide these mental health benefits in the same way, especially during times of stress?
A new study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that interacting with pets generally boosts mood, but it may not actually lessen the emotional impact of stress. But it's a bit complicated.
The team investigated how interacting with cats and dogs affects their owners' emotional well-being in everyday life. While both species were linked to more positive emotions, the researchers found subtle differences in how they influenced people during stressful moments.
The team of psychologists explored how interacting with pets affects their owners' emotional well-being. While spending time with both cats and dogs was linked to happier moods, the researchers uncovered subtle differences in how each species may influence people when they're stressed.
"Our findings indicate that stress-buffering is not the mechanism causing momentary emotional well-being when interacting with a pet," said corresponding author Dr. Mayke Janssens, assistant professor of psychology at The Open University. "Interaction with either species did not act as a buffer for negative emotions. In cats, we even observed that a higher level of interaction was associated with a stronger link between stress and negative emotions in owners."
Tracking Everyday Life With Pets
To capture real-life interactions, participants completed brief questionnaires on their smartphones after receiving 10 notifications a day over five consecutive days. Each survey asked how they were feeling, what they were doing, and whether they were with or interacting with their pet.
The study generated nearly 8,000 real-time reports, allowing researchers to examine how pets influence emotions throughout everyday life rather than relying on participants' memories.
Overall, the results showed that spending time with a pet was associated with improved mood. During moments of greater interaction, owners reported feeling happier and experiencing fewer negative emotions. These benefits were similar for both cat and dog owners.
According to first author Dr. Sanne Peeters, people often strongly identify with the type of pet they choose.
"Dog owners were probably more likely to identify as 'dog people,' whereas cat owners were more likely to identify as 'cat people,'" Peeters said. "It's possible that this owner-pet 'match' partly explains why the findings were so similar for dogs and cats."
Do Pets Really Help During Stress?
The researchers next asked whether actively interacting with a pet provides greater emotional relief during stressful situations than simply having the pet nearby.
Surprisingly, the answer appeared to be no.
Although pet owners generally felt better when interacting with their animals, those interactions did not reduce the immediate emotional effects of stress.
"The positive effects of pet interaction on well-being appear to be genuine, but they don't seem to happen because pets help people handle stress better at the exact moment the stress occurs," Janssens explained. "Interacting more intensively with the companion animal did not provide additional emotional benefits beyond those that may arise from the animal simply being present."
The researchers believe another mechanism may explain why pets improve emotional well-being. One possibility is that companion animals provide comfort, companionship, and a sense of connection that helps people feel less lonely over time.
"It could be that interacting with a pet provides a sense of companionship and that pets help people feel more connected and less alone, which in turn could contribute to improved emotional well-being," Janssens said.
A Surprising Difference Between Cats and Dogs
One finding caught the researchers' attention.
When owners were feeling stressed, interacting with their cats did not reduce their negative emotions. In fact, more interaction was linked to stronger negative feelings.
Before cat lovers sharpen their claws, the researchers urge caution.
The study included fewer cat owners than dog owners, and the finding wasn't consistent across every analysis. In other words, this doesn't mean your cat is secretly plotting against your mental health—although if your cat is reading this over your shoulder, it may already know what you're thinking.
"One speculative explanation is that because interactions with cats are often more passive and less demanding in nature, a higher level of interaction might be more emotionally evocative," Peeters said. "This might not match the need for support in stressful moments."
Anyone who has lived with a cat knows that feline affection often comes with terms and conditions. Your lap is the best seat in the house—until you move. Belly rubs seem like an invitation until they become an ambush. Breakfast is expected at sunrise, weekends included, and if dinner is five minutes late, you'll hear a strongly worded complaint. Yet despite their independent streak, cats form deep bonds with their owners and often provide comfort simply by being nearby—even if they pretend they're doing you a favor.
Dogs, on the other hand, are usually much more obvious about their affection. They happily encourage exercise, outdoor adventures, and conversations with complete strangers while they enthusiastically greet every dog—and many humans—they meet. Of course, they have their own talent for raising your stress level. They bark at delivery trucks as though national security depends on it, pull toward every squirrel with Olympic determination, splash through muddy puddles moments after being groomed, and proudly present a half-chewed designer shoe as if they've won "Best Gift of the Year." Then there's the daily walk that somehow turns into a 30-minute investigation of one particularly fascinating patch of grass.
So, Which Pet Comes Out on Top?
Based on this study, there isn't a clear winner.
Both cats and dogs appear to boost emotional well-being, even if they don't necessarily soften the emotional impact of stress in the moment. The researchers believe personality, lifestyle, and the bond between owner and pet probably matter far more than the species itself.
As for me? I'd call it a draw. A home with at least one dog and one cat offers the best of both worlds—a loyal best friend who's always ready for an adventure, and a furry roommate who occasionally graces you with affection after you've earned it.
How about you? Are you Team Dog, Team Cat, or do you think life is simply better with both?
Key Takeaways
- Both dogs and cats were linked to improved mood.
- Neither species appeared to reduce the immediate emotional effects of stress.
- Cat owners showed one unexpected stress-related finding, but researchers say it should be interpreted cautiously.
- The emotional bond between owner and pet may matter more than whether your companion barks or purrs.
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