With World Mental Health Day (10th October) just around the corner, new research from Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has today revealed that half (49%) of dog owners say their mental health has significantly improved since getting a dog, with the same amount (49%) of Brits welcoming a furry friend specifically to help manage their mental wellbeing.
Whether it’s to help keep them active (62%), provide purpose (40%), ease loneliness (33%), or simply giving us a reason to smile day-to-day (44%), it’s clear dogs are proving to be powerful emotional companions for the nation. In fact, 50% of pawrents consider their dog as more than just a pet—claiming they’re an essential part of their mental health toolkit.
According to the research, simply just being around dogs brings happiness, with 62% respondents reporting that just walking past a dog makes them smile and can lift their mood. And it’s not just fleeting joy —half (50%) of pet owners admit that their dog makes them laugh most days, showing the daily joy our four-legged friends provide.
For those who don’t have their own dog, they’re still finding ways to enjoy the benefits. Nearly half (49%) say that just being around dogs, even if it’s not their own, improves their mood, leading 12% to regularly borrow friends’ or family members’ pets for a feel-good fix. Going one step further, 13% have considered joining a dog-walking or pet-sitting service just to spend more time around furry friends.
When it comes to looking after ourselves, half (50%) say their canine companions motivate them to go outside and get fresh air regularly, with 39% of pet parents claiming their dog gives them a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Dogs are also great for keeping routines on track, as a nearly quarter (24%) of owners say their dog helps them wake up early and “seize the day”.
For many, the emotional bond goes deeper than expected: one in four (26%) dog owners claim their pet is their biggest supporter, even over family and friends, while 55% say they’d be utterly lost without their pup.
Top 10 mental health benefits of owning a dog:
- Increased physical activity (68%)
- Improved mental health (60%)
- Companionship (50%)
- Sense of purpose (44%)
- Reduced loneliness (42%)
- Reduced stress (39%)
- Sense of routine (38%)
- Improved mood and happiness (37%)
- Reduced anxiety (36%)
- Emotional support (32%)
Philip Tedeschi, Rover’s human-animal bond expert comments, “Dogs have an incredible ability to positively influence our mental health, offering a unique blend of emotional support, companionship, and motivation. The bond between humans and dogs goes beyond just affection; dogs have a calming presence that can help reduce stress, ease loneliness, and provide us with a sense of purpose.”
“Interacting with dogs—whether through walks, play time, or simply relaxing in each other’s presence—triggers the release of oxytocin and endorphins, chemicals that promote happiness and relaxation. This connection not only lifts our mood but also encourages physical activity and social interactions, all of which are key elements to improving mental wellbeing. With this in mind, it’s no wonder so many people now see their dogs as an essential part of their mental health toolkit.”
For World Mental Health Day, Rover.com is encouraging pet owners to join a Mental Health Mates walk and share the mental health benefits of dogs with their community. You can find your local walk and take part here.
By attending a Mental Health Mates walk between the 7th of October and 13th October*, you can earn a £20 discount to use with Rover.com, whether you’re an existing or new user. Please do let your Mental Health Mates walk leader know that you plan to bring your dog along before attending.
*T&Cs: To redeem credits, Rover users must request email confirmation of their attendance from the walk leader and send it to [email protected]
