A University of Basel survey of 2,328 Swiss adults found women and people who spend more time with animals report stronger attachment to pets and greater perceived socio‑emotional support. However, the study found no clear overall link between pet ownership and better general health or well‑being. Specific associations included slightly poorer self‑rated health and marginally higher smoking rates among pet owners, and paradoxical links between feeling supported by an animal and lower psychological well‑being and greater loneliness. The authors stress these are correlations, not proof of causation, and recommend studying the quality of human–animal relationships rather than ownership alone.
Swiss Study: Women and Frequent Animal Companions Report Stronger Emotional Bonds — Pets Not Clearly Linked To Better Health
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A large Swiss survey suggests that women and people who spend more time with animals report stronger emotional attachment to their pets than men do, but pet ownership by itself does not appear to be clearly linked to better overall health or well‑being.
(Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev via Pexels)
Study Details
Researchers at the University of Basel analyzed questionnaire data from 2,328 Swiss adults to examine how pet ownership, regular contact with animals, and the strength of the human–animal bond relate to physical health, psychological well‑being, perceived social support and loneliness. The results were published in the journal PLOS One.
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Main Findings
- Attachment and Support: Women, people who spent more time with animals, and those who interacted with dogs were more likely to report strong attachment to animals and to view their pets as sources of socio‑emotional support.
- No Clear Overall Health Benefit: The study found no consistent, overarching association between pet ownership or frequent animal contact and better general health or overall well‑being.
- Specific Associations: Pet owners in this sample reported slightly poorer self‑rated health and a marginally higher rate of cigarette smoking compared with non‑owners. Participants who reported greater support from an animal also paradoxically reported lower psychological well‑being and greater loneliness.
- Time Spent With Animals: Adults who spent more time with animals reported higher psychological well‑being but also indicated more frequent smoking. The authors emphasize these are correlations and not evidence of causation.
"Our findings suggest that simply owning a pet is not associated with better health or well‑being," said lead author Rahel Marti. "The relationship people have with their animals is much more nuanced than a simple yes‑or‑no question of pet ownership."
Interpretation and Implications
The authors argue that previous inconsistent results may stem from treating pet ownership as a binary (yes/no) variable rather than a multidimensional construct that includes owner characteristics, the type of animal, the quality of interactions and the role the animal plays in an individual’s life. They recommend future research focus on how people interact with animals and the specific roles pets fill, rather than on ownership alone.
Limitations: The cross‑sectional survey design cannot determine cause and effect — for example, whether poorer health prompts people to obtain pets or whether pet ownership influences health. The findings reflect statistical associations in a Swiss adult sample and may not generalize to all populations.
Study Source: University of Basel; results published in PLOS One.
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