{"id":10285,"date":"2025-05-22T12:34:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T04:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/?p=10285"},"modified":"2025-05-22T12:34:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T04:34:16","slug":"six-in-10-pet-owners-reveal-they-prefer-to-spend-time-with-their-pets-when-feeling-stressed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/six-in-10-pet-owners-reveal-they-prefer-to-spend-time-with-their-pets-when-feeling-stressed\/","title":{"rendered":"Six in 10 pet owners reveal they prefer to spend time with their pets when feeling stressed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you would rather hug your pet than talk to your partner after a stressful day then you’re not alone. A new global survey of over 30,000 pet owners,\u00a0commissioned by Mars, the leading pet care business, and Calm, a leading mental health company, found that the majority of pet owners (58%) prefer to spend time with their pet when feeling stressed \u2013 more than those who say their partners (32%), family (23%), or even children or friends (both 18%). In fact, 83% of people surveyed believe their pet has positively impacted their mental wellbeing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The global survey across 20 markets highlights the powerful ways our pets improve our mental health and wellbeing. From encouraging us to switch off in our day-to-day with breaks from screens, work and chores, to offering silent comfort when words feel too much, the findings paint a striking picture of how pets are helping millions of people around the world find peace in an always-on world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, it’s not what they do \u2013 it’s just that they are there. More than half of pet owners (56%) say their pets provide company without the need to talk during stressful times. While others find chatting to their pet a help \u2013 with nearly a quarter (23%) saying their pet provides a space for them to express worries or concerns without expecting a response. A huge 84% of pet owners say the simple presence of their pet is relaxing, offering a sense of calm that doesn’t require words or actions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“While we love our pets, we often don’t realise how much they give back,”\u00a0said\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Tammie King,\u00a0a specialist in human-animal interaction and Senior Research Manager at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute.\u00a0“Reframing your pet’s daily ‘interruptions’ as loving reminders to pause, breathe and be present can be a powerful wellness tool. Research shows that touch-based pet interactions can boost oxytocin levels in humans.(2)<\/sup>\u00a0The findings of this survey will help more people reflect on and acknowledge the little wellbeing moments pets nudge us towards on a daily basis.”\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A look, wag or a boop: the survey also reveals how our pets’ behaviours give us daily nudges towards better wellbeing habits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n