Pet Ownership

Thus far, few cross-sectional studies have investigated the association between pet ownership and psychosocial factors. As longitudinal studies on this topic are mostly lacking, this study aimed to analyze the association between pet ownership and psychosocial factors (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, social isolation, and life satisfaction) using a longitudinal approach. The data used were taken from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS), a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (n = 12,438 observations). Two waves were used (year 2014 and year 2017). Validated multi-item scales were used to measure psychosocial factors. Linear fixed effects (FE) regressions were performed. In summary, only a few significant longitudinal associations were detected in regression analyses. No associations between general pet ownership and psychosocial factors were found. However, cat ownership was significantly longitudinally associated with increases in loneliness levels among the total sample and men. Cat ownership was also significantly longitudinally associated with increases in social isolation levels among men. Among women, dog ownership was significantly longitudinally associated with decreases in life satisfaction. This study reveals some associations between pet ownership and unfavorable psychosocial factors longitudinally. These associations were only significant for subgroups (cat vs. dog ownership and females vs. males).

The current study is conducted to examine the following research questions:

How is owning or working on an allotment associated with physical health?
Is the relationship between allotment and physical health conditional on the self-efficacy?
Is the relationship between allotment and physical health conditional on nature connectedness?
Is the interplay between allotment, self-efficacy, and nature connectedness associated with physical health?

Owning or working on an allotment is used as a proxy for long-term gardening engagement, as such activities typically require sustained, repeated interaction with cultivated natural environments over extended periods. However, we acknowledge that this proxy does not capture variation in duration, frequency, or intensity of gardening practices.

Self-efficacy reflects individuals’ perceived capability to manage challenging situations and can be interpreted as encompassing the perceived ability to regulate uncertainty in contexts characterized by ambiguity.

This paper examines the phenomenal popularity of companion animals in Japan, and the way many of these pets are treated as part of the owner’s family. Indeed, some pets are treated as if they are human children. This pet phenomenon was made possible because the Japanese developed a way of seeing their companion animals in anthropomorphic terms, more similar than different to humans. First, this paper describes how this notion has its roots in the Japanese receptivity to the idea that humans and animals can communicate with one another, and the folkloric belief that animals can assume human form and speak. Second, the article details how these ideas and beliefs were consistent with both major Japanese religions, and were sustained in the 20th century by literature and, most recently, anthropomorphic characters in anime and advertising. Finally, the paper argues that there is an anthropomorphic paradox in Japan, whereby the identification of companion animals as possessing human quali...

The rising social value of pet ownership is influenced by social media and evidence of positive effects on well-being, leading to a rise in dog ownership in younger generations. However, the mental health outcomes of this broader shift, especially in India, have not been studied. The study explored the association between dog owners' relationships, mental health, and satisfaction with life among university students. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with 250 students aged 18-25 who were either dog owners or without pets. The dog owners responded to the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale, apart from the Mental Health Continuum and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results showed a non-significant difference between mental health and satisfaction with life between dog owners and non-pet respondents. A positive relationship could not be established between dog ownership, mental health, and satisfaction with life. The dog's gender and breed influenced the owners' emotional bonding and interactions. Low perceived costs were related to a strong emotional bond with the dog, highlighting the complex nature of the pet ownership experience. Dog ownership's effect on students' well-being is not universal and might depend on various individual, cultural, and contextual factors. Exploration of these human-animal interactions is warranted.

Background and Aim: The rapid expansion of Thailand’s pet industry has influenced dog owners’ purchasing behaviors and feeding practices, with potential implications for canine health. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus are increasingly recognized in companion animals, yet the links between diet and these conditions remain underexplored in emerging pet markets. This study aimed to assess the purchas­ing and feeding behaviors of Thai dog owners, their knowledge of canine nutrition, and the association between diet type and NCD occurrence.

Materials and Methods: Data were collected between October 2023 and September 2024 using two survey approaches: An online questionnaire completed by 411 dog owners across Thailand and face-to-face interviews with 201 owners at Chulalongkorn University’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital. A total of 612 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression to identify risk factors for NCDs.

Results: Owners prioritized palatability, price, and brand when purchasing food, relying primarily on personal research over veterinary advice. Of respondents, 211 fed commercial diets (valued for convenience and nutritional balance), whereas 190 preferred homemade diets, often lacking supplementation. Mixed feeding was common and carried the highest NCD risk (adjusted odds ratio = 1.783; 95% confidence interval: 1.173–2.710; p = 0.007). Among 169 diagnosed cases, obesity was most prevalent (70.4%), followed by cardiovascular disease (40.2%), renal disease (23.1%), and diabetes mellitus (8.9%). Age was significantly associated with renal and cardiovascular disease, while breed predisposed small dogs to heart disease. Only 35.2% of homemade diets were nutritionally balanced.

Conclusion: Diet type is strongly linked to NCD occurrence, with mixed commercial–homemade feeding posing the greatest risk. Obesity emerged as the most common NCD, with age and breed further influencing disease susceptibility. Knowledge gaps in nutrition and limited veterinary involvement highlight the urgent need for structured educational programs and national guidelines. Within a One Health framework, improving canine feeding practices not only enhances pet welfare but also supports broader household and public health.


Keywords: commercial diets, dog nutrition, homemade diets, mixed feeding, non-communicable diseases, pet owner behavior, Thailand.

Background and Aim: Veterinary biobanking advances translational research, companion animal health, and the ethical reuse of samples. Its success depends on public engagement and the pet owners’ willingness to contribute biological sam­ples. However, awareness and attitudes toward veterinary biobanking remain largely unexplored in the Baltic region. This study aimed to assess Latvian pet owners’ awareness, willingness to donate, motivations, and concerns regarding veterinary biobanking, and to identify demographic and professional factors influencing participation.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed through social media and veterinary clinics across Latvia between April and May 2025. The questionnaire included 49 items covering awareness, willingness to donate, moti­vations, concerns, and demographics. Data from 164 pet owners were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction, and logistic regression.

Results: Only 22% of respondents had prior awareness of veterinary biobanks. Despite this, 76% were willing to donate samples if their pet was seriously ill, and 67% even if their pet was healthy. Motivations included altruism (helping other animals), supporting veterinary research, and potential treatment benefits for their own pets. Key concerns centered on confidentiality (91%), the right to withdraw samples (60%), and control of sample use (45%). Professional background was significantly associated with both awareness (p = 0.0004) and willingness to donate (p = 0.0013). Logistic regression con­firmed that respondents in medical or veterinary professions were more likely to support donation (odds ratio = 3.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.54–7.12, p = 0.002). No significant associations were found with age, gender, education, or religion.

Conclusion: This first Baltic survey reveals that Latvian pet owners strongly support veterinary biobanking despite limited awareness. Altruism and the expected benefits of research drive participation, while ethical expectations regarding confi­dentiality, consent, and transparency remain crucial. The findings provide a foundation for developing national veterinary biobanking strategies, improving public communication, and integrating Latvia into European One Health and translational research infrastructures.


Keywords: comparative medicine, One Health, pet owners, public attitudes, translational research, veterinary biobank.

Urban safety substantially how people use public spaces. Safety concerns affect choices such as routes, travel times, and precautions. These behaviors are pushed by means of immediate threats and broader socioeconomic elements. Wealthier individuals often have access to more secure neighborhoods, personal transport, and higher safety, while less affluent people may be more vulnerable in urban environments due to reliance on public transportation and housing in higher-crime regions with poor infrastructure. This study examines safety concerns amongst 19-30 years old Indians through an e-survey (n=30) using convenience sampling. The survey used close-ended questions to capture perceptions of urban protection, experiences in public areas, and safety-related behavioral changes. Data analysis of the collected responses enabled an understanding of protection problems and examined the relationships between socioeconomic popularity, safety perceptions, and public space use. By studying the interplay of socioeconomic factors, protection perceptions, and infrastructure, this study's findings offer insights into how these elements shape public space conduct. The findings emphasize the importance of urban layout and public protection regulations in developing more equitable and more secure urban environments.

The built environment is part of the physical environment, encompassing structures built for human activity. These elements include buildings, transportation lines, parks and more, which both impact humans and animals. Although a lot of research has been conducted on the effects of the built environment on human well-being, less research has been done on how it affects pets, especially in apartment settings, where certain shared areas and design elements can have a big impact on pet ownership experiences. The study's purpose was to understand the relationship

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a critical global health threat, compromising the efficacy of treatments across human, animal, and environmental health domains. While efforts have predominantly focused on livestock and human medicine, the role of pet owners remains underexplored, despite their direct involvement in antimicrobial administration and influence on veterinary decisions. This study aimed to assess perceptions, knowledge, and practices regarding antimicrobial use and resistance among pet owners in Chile, providing a baseline to inform future education and policy initiatives under a One Health framework.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey targeting adult dog and cat owners was conducted from May 19 to 21, 2023, in Santiago, Chile, during a large public pet-focused event. Using a validated questionnaire, data were collected on demographics, pet characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotics and AMR. A total of 378 valid responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were applied to examine associations, particularly between education level and reported practices.

Results: Most respondents were female (74.4%) with professional degrees (64%) and aged between 21 and 50 years. Dogs were more commonly owned (73.8%) than cats (26.2%). While 86.2% reported their pet had received antibiotics, only 68.2% recalled veterinarians confirming proper administration understanding. A strong majority agreed that antibiotics should only be used for bacterial infections and opposed acquiring them without a prescription. Notably, 92.4% stated that they would stop treatment early if improvement was observed. Approximately 52% had used human antibiotics for pets, and 38% were open to substituting prescribed veterinary antibiotics with human ones. No significant association was found between education level and antibiotic use behaviors (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Findings reveal important gaps in owner understanding and adherence to antimicrobial guidelines, particularly regarding treatment completion and human antibiotic use in pets. Strengthening veterinarian-owner communication, promoting species-specific antibiotic use, and enhancing awareness of AMR’s broader implications are essential. These insights support targeted educational efforts and integration of pet owner perspectives into national AMR strategies to advance One Health goals.


Keywords: antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, cats, Chile, dogs, One Health, perceptions, pet owners.

Where is my dog? Where does my outdoor cat sleep at night? Where does my dog go when I am not at home? Various mobile technology applications offer means for staying connected with pets. However, the specific requirements for location-tracking technology via pet wearables or indoor video-technologies remain an under-researched area. Our research explored pet location-tracking technology through co-creation sessions, regarding what benefits pet owners can foresee for their own mental comfort. While only one out of 11 participants actually used such technology, all anticipated that pet location tracking tech could increase pet owners' well-being. We here discuss the results of a follow-up 23-participant survey, which revealed privacy concerns, financial investment and pet's comfort as well as the type of pet, lifestyle and other already used technologies to be the key factors for adopting pet location tracking technology. These findings are further compared with our participants' initial expectations.

Background Objective: The question of pet ownership in various studies contributing to the individual’s resiliency has acquired mixed results. Despite animals being beneficial in enhancing humans’ way of living, their role as a stress-coping mechanism in a student’s life remains to be accomplished.
Method: In a representative sample of twenty students from the Senior High School Department of General de Jesus College, we investigate the experiences and coping strategies of pet owners in terms of their stress due to learning transitions caused by the pandemic and examine developments of their mental health from pet ownership. We implemented a phenomenological qualitative research design, in which the respondents are selected through Purposive and Convenience Sampling Techniques. In collecting data, a semi-structured individual interview was conducted accompanied by audio recorders.
Results: In terms of profile, the majority of the respondents were seventeen years of age,  females, in eleventh grade, and owned a pet within a time frame of one to five years. Pet owners reported that the primary stressor is the learning transition which led to other challenges to surface. The stress coping strategies included spending time or talking to pets. The majority of mental health development indicators include the induced development of better communication skills, expanded patience; and reported better mentality compared to when they were not yet pet owners.
Conclusion: Our results emphasize the benefits of pets to students as a stress-coping mechanism due to learning transitions and confirm its importance as a positive psychological factor to improve stress resiliency.

The benefits of the human-animal bond on owners' health and quality of life have been the focus of research in recent decades. However, the results are still inconsistent. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether the presence of a pet, compared to a control group, influences daily physical activity levels and mental health using a meta-analytic method. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for all research articles that included pets as an object of study and related mental health and quality of life variables between pet owners and non-owners until April 2022. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was used, and the Downs and Back checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the difference between a group of pet owners and non-pet owners. Results: An initial search located 11,389 studies, but only 49 studies fulfilled all requirements. Our results indicate that pets have a moderately significant positive effect on the physical activity of owners compared to non-pet owners. Among the moderating variables, the frequency of physical activity showed a highly significant effect, indicating that owners had a higher frequency of physical activity than non-owners. Moreover, our results indicate a significant impact but with a low effect size of pets on owners' mental health when compared to nonpet owners. Conclusion: Pet ownership does not seem to influence owners' mental health, but it does influence their physical activity. Specifically, owners show a higher frequency of physical activity than non-owners.

Humans are a fundamentally social species, preferring to live in dyads, families, groups, communities, and cultures (Cacioppo & Ortigue, 2011). As a species, we have a wonderful capacity to develop and engage in social interactions, both with other humans and with members of other species, most obviously companion animals such as dogs and cats. In fact, the latest figures indicate that 68% of U.S. households (American Pet Products Association, 2014; American Veterinary Medicine Association, 2007) and 46% of British households (Pet Food Manufacturers Association, 2014) include at least one companion animal. Pet ownership has also been shown to facilitate "social capital" in that the presence of pets tends to facilitate social contact and a sense of community (Wood, Giles-Corti, & Bulsara, 2005; Wood et al., 2015).

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı Pet Tutum Ölçeği'nin (PTÖ) Türkçe geçerlik ve güvenirliğini test etmek ve Türk toplumuna uyarlamaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırmanın evrenini Batı Türkiye'deki bir üniversitenin sağlık bölümlerinde okuyan öğrenciler oluşturdu. Örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmadı ve tüm popülasyon çalışmaya dahil edildi. Veriler, katılımcıların sosyo-demografik özelliklerine ilişkin bir anket ve 1 ile 7 arasında puanlanan 18 maddeden oluşan Evcil Hayvan Tutum Ölçeği kullanılarak üç faktör altında toplanmıştır: sevgi ve etkileşim, evde evcil hayvanlar ve evcil hayvan sahiplenme sevinci. Yapı geçerliği ölçeğin özellikleri açımlayıcı faktör analizi (AFA) ve doğrulayıcı faktör analizi (DFA) ile değerlendirilmiştir. Evcil hayvan tutum ölçeğinin güvenirliği Cronbach alfa iç tutarlılık katsayısı, madde-toplam korelasyonu ve test-tekrar test analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Objective: This study tests the Turkish validity and reliability of the Pet Attitude Scale (PAS) and adapt it to Turkish society. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of students in the departments of health at a university in Western Turkey. No sampling method was used; and the entire population was included in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire on the participants' sociodemographic characteristics and the PAS, which consisted of 18 items scored between 1 and 7 under three factors: love and interaction, pets in the home, and joy of pet ownership. The construct validity of the scale was evaluated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability of the PAS was assessed by Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, the item-total correlation, and the test-retest analysis. Results: The scale factors' Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient ranged between 0.45 and 0.92, the items' factor loads ranged between 0.51 and 0.85, and the total item correlation coefficients ranged between 0.31 and 0.77. The CFA supported the three-factor structure yielded by the EFA and showed good fit indices. Conclusion: The scale was reliable for Turkish society compared to the original PAS. The factor structure resembled the results of a reevaluation of PAS. Thus, it can be suggested that the PAS is valid and reliable for application in Turkish society.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between subjective health evaluations and survival rates among the elderly has been shown to be highly valid by many studies. There have been, however, no studies reported on the relationship between caring for a pet and survival rates among the elderly worldwide. PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between caring for pets and survival rates of the elderly in Japan. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY DESIGN: This study is a population-based cohort study of the elderly in 16 municipalities in Japan. The study population included, those 60 years and over. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires consisting of closed-ended question items. The response rate was 78.1% (=23,826/30,521). A total of 20,551 responses were included for analysis in this study. Surveys from those under 59 and incomplete responses were excluded due to data inconsistency. These items included whether or not they took care of a pet, annual income, lifestyle and subjective health status. The questionnaires were sent to follow the survival rates of those surveyed for two years, 1999-2001. A path analysis was used to assess the predictive validity of the factors included in the study and to establish the structural relationship between these factors and survival days. FINDINGS: 38.0% of men and 37.6% of women surveyed took care of pets. A strong relationship between caring for pets and cumulative survival rates is shown for the elderly surveyed. By using Cox's regression model, caring for pets was identified as a significant factor to predict the survival days of the elderly. Survival days were directly prolonged by caring for pets and indirectly supported by the annual income of those surveyed. FUTURE ISSUES: This study suggests that caring for pets by the elderly as means to prolong the survival days receive greater attention. However, future studies are necessary to clarify the structural, causal relationship between elderly survival rates and caring for pets. Additionally, there is a need to establish external validity by conducting random sampling surveys in other cities.