Why owning a pet could be good for your health

Australians are well known for being animal lovers, with millions of households sharing their homes with a dog or cat. For many people, pets become much more than companions — they’re part of the family.

The bond between people and their pets can provide a range of physical, emotional, and social wellbeing benefits. Dogs and cats can offer companionship, comfort, routine, a sense of purpose, and opportunities for connection and exercise.

Because pets become such important parts of our lives, pet ownership also comes with a responsibility to care for their physical and emotional wellbeing throughout every stage of life. Choosing the right pet and being prepared for the long-term commitment involved in meeting your pet’s needs can help support a lasting positive relationship for both of you.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of the human-animal bond, the realities of responsible pet ownership, ways to enjoy animal companionship without owning a pet, and how pet insurance may help support pets and their people.

Table of contents

• The human-animal bond
• Choosing the right companion for you
• Responsible pet ownership
• The difference between assistance animals and pets
• Enjoying animal companionship without owning a pet
• How pet insurance can support pets and their people

The human-animal bond

For many Australians, pets are much more than the animals they share a home with — they’re companions, family members, and an important part of everyday life. The connection people share with their pets (often referred to as the human-animal bond) can provide comfort, routine, companionship, and opportunities for social connection and physical activity.

While experiences vary between individuals, many people find that spending time with pets may positively support overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Emotional wellbeing benefits

Pets can provide companionship and emotional comfort through different stages of life. Everyday interactions such as relaxing with a pet after a busy day, playing together, or engaging in training may help people feel more connected, relaxed, and engaged in the present moment.

For some people, pets may also:

• Reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation
• Provide affection and companionship
• Encourage daily routine and structure
• Create a sense of purpose and responsibility
• Support emotional comfort during stressful periods
• Bring enjoyment, fun, and laughter into everyday life

Caring for your pet can also encourage mindfulness and positive interaction through activities such as grooming, walking, spending time outside, or creating enrichment activities and toys at home.

Physical health and lifestyle benefits

Dogs, in particular, may encourage regular physical activity through daily walks, play, and outdoor time. This can help pet owners stay active, while also creating opportunities to spend time in nature and interact with neighbours or other pet owners in the community.

Caring for pets can also help encourage consistent routines and healthy habits, such as getting outside regularly, maintaining schedules, and staying engaged in day-to-day activities.

Social connection and community

Pets can help create opportunities for social interaction and connection. Walking a dog, visiting pet-friendly spaces, attending training classes, or simply talking to other animal lovers can help people foster meaningful relationships and feel more connected to their local community.

For some individuals, pets may also act as important sources of companionship during periods of social isolation or major life changes.

Choosing the right companion for you

While pets may positively contribute to your wellbeing, choosing a pet that suits your lifestyle, living situation, and experience level is an important part of responsible pet ownership. All cats and dogs are individuals with their own unique personalities. This means that different pets can have very different needs, temperaments, energy levels, interaction preferences, and care requirements. Taking the time to research and choose a pet that fits well with your household can help create a more positive experience for both you and your pet.

Selecting a pet based on compatibility and lifestyle suitability, rather than appearance alone, can help support a happier long-term relationship for both the animal and owner.

Responsible pet ownership

While owning a dog or cat can bring happiness, companionship, comfort, and connection, pets also rely on us for lifelong care, safety, and support. Responsible pet ownership helps ensure pets can live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives while continuing to strengthen the bond they share with their people.

What is responsible pet ownership?

Responsible pet ownership means committing to your pet’s lifelong physical and emotional wellbeing while also respecting the community and local environment.

This includes ensuring your pet’s needs are met through:

• Proper nutrition
• Daily exercise and physical activity
• Essential training and guidance
• Regular vet care
• Appropriate social interaction
• Mental stimulation and essential resources, such as toys and puzzle feeders
• A safe, secure, and supportive environment

Responsible pet ownership also involves complying with local council registration and containment laws, keeping identification details up to date, and planning for your pet’s ongoing care throughout their lifetime.

For many people, responsible pet ownership can be highly rewarding, providing companionship, connection, routine, and the satisfaction of caring for and supporting an animal. If you’re considering bringing a pet into your home, adoption through a shelter or rescue organisation can be a meaningful option.

The difference between assistance animals and pets

For some people, the human-animal bond extends beyond companionship. Assistance animals play an important role in supporting people living with disability to navigate everyday life with greater independence, confidence, and safety.

While dogs are the most commonly recognised assistance animals, they provide far more than companionship alone. They’re specifically trained to perform tasks that help reduce the impact of a person’s disability.

Different types of assistance animals may support people with a wide range of physical or psychological disabilities, including:

• Guide dogs for people with vision impairment
• Hearing dogs for people with hearing impairment
• Mobility assistance dogs
• Medical alert dogs that respond to conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes
• Psychiatric assistance dogs that assist people living with PTSD or other mental health-related disabilities

These animals are trained to perform specific tasks, such as retrieving items, opening doors, providing balance support, alerting others to medical episodes, or helping their handler respond to stressful or triggering situations.

Although assistance animals perform important working roles, they often also share a strong bond with their handler. For many people, these animals become trusted companions and an important source of support in daily life.

Because assistance animals need to stay focused on their handler and surroundings, it’s important that members of the public avoid distracting, patting, or interacting with them unless permission is given by the owner.

In Australia, assistance animals that meet legal requirements are granted public access rights, meaning they’re generally allowed to accompany their handler in public places and on public transport.

It’s also important to understand the difference between assistance animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals. While all may provide comfort and companionship, assistance animals are specifically trained to assist a person with disability and meet behavioural and hygiene standards required for public access. Emotional support animals and therapy animals are often not trained or regulated in the same way and may not be equipped to safely manage the demands of public access or specialised support roles.

Enjoying animal companionship without owning a pet

If you’re not currently able to own a pet, there are still many ways to enjoy the companionship of animals and experience some of the positive aspects of spending time with pets.

You may still benefit from interacting with animals by:

• Volunteering at a local shelter or rescue organisation
• Fostering pets temporarily
• Looking after pets who belong to your family or friends
• Becoming a pet sitter
• Visiting a local dog park
• Spending time observing local wildlife

These experiences can still provide meaningful opportunities for connection and companionship without the full-time responsibility and financial commitment of pet ownership.

For some people, this can also be a great way to better understand the responsibilities involved before deciding whether owning a pet is right for them in the future.

How pet insurance can support pets and their people

The bond between people and pets can be incredibly rewarding. From offering companionship and comfort to encouraging healthy routines and social connection, pets can play an important role in many people’s lives.

Of course, that relationship comes with responsibilities too. Providing your pet with the care they need throughout their life means planning for their health and wellbeing, including unexpected accidents and illnesses that may require vet treatment.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can help protect your pet while supporting the RSPCA’s vital animal welfare initiatives across Australia. Depending on your level of cover, your policy may help with eligible vet expenses for unexpected accidents and illnesses, allowing you to focus on caring for your pet when they need you most.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

 

References 

[1] RSPCA Australia. What are the benefits of companion animals to human health? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/what-are-the-benefits-of-companion-animals-to-human-health

[2] RSPCA Australia. How can I be a responsible cat owner? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/general/how-can-i-be-a-responsible-cat-owner

[3] RSPCA Australia. How many pets are there in Australia? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/how-many-pets-are-there-in-australia

[4] RSPCA Australia. Can humans and animals transmit diseases to each other? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/can-humans-and-animals-transmit-diseases-to-each-other

[5] RSPCA Australia. What is an assistance animal? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/sport-entertainment-and-work/what-is-an-assistance-animal