(Photo by Gladskikh Tatiana on Shutterstock)
In a nutshell
- Over half (56%) of pet owners say their animal has literally saved their life, with the same percentage willing to trade years of their own life to extend their pet’s lifespan.
- Almost all pet owners (95%) report daily mental health benefits from their pets, with their mental health ratings jumping from 32% to 71% in the A- to A+ range after getting a pet.
- Pet owners trust their animals more than humans—53% trust their pet over their romantic partner, and 38% trust their pet’s instincts more than their own.
NEW YORK — A new survey reveals the extraordinary impact pets have on our mental wellbeing, with nearly three in five Americans claiming their furry companions have literally saved their lives. At a time when mental health concerns continue to rise, our four-legged friends are emerging as unexpected heroes in the battle against depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Life-Saving Companions
The bond between humans and their pets runs remarkably deep. According to a survey of 2,000 cat and dog owners by Talker Research, 56% believe their animal has saved their life in some way. One pet owner shared, “I’m not sure I would be the person I am today (or even be here today) if it wasn’t for him,” while another recalled being hospitalized and said, “knowing I had to get home to my babies saved me.”
This connection goes both ways—the same percentage of pet owners (56%) would trade years off their own life to extend their pet’s lifespan. More than one-third of respondents (34%) intentionally got a pet to improve their mental health, and for nearly all of them (95%), it’s working.
The mental health benefits are substantial. Before getting a pet, only 32% of respondents rated their mental health in the A- to A+ range. After welcoming an animal into their home, that number jumped to 71%.
What creates this significant boost? Some shared that it’s the companionship that gives them the boost, saying a pet “makes me feel needed” or simply gives them support “by always being there next to me.”
Another pet owner said, “I just have to look at him to have a better outlook on life and the day. I’m so grateful to have him in my life,” and 90% of respondents agreed that their pet has the power to turn a bad day into a good one just by being there.
Daily Joy and Comfort
Pets bring consistent happiness to their owners’ lives, making them smile an average of 11 times daily and laugh about 9 times. Respondents shared some of their favorite ways their pets bring them joy on a daily basis, such as, “she likes to sleep on top of my stomach or curled up against me,” “he is goofy, loves to play and loves to demand his favorite treats” or even “when they want to dance with me.”
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, spokesperson for pet food brand Nulo which commissioned the survey, shared: “My dogs Lilo and Rambo are my biggest cheerleaders—they’re always there for me, no matter what kind of day I’m having. The love and support we get from our pets is so special, and it’s incredible to see just how much they impact our mental health.”
The emotional connection is so vital that separation affects owners quickly. On average, it takes just five hours away from pets before owners notice their mental health declining, with 41% feeling effects within the first two hours.
People Trust Their Pets More Than Their Partner?
Perhaps most revealing is how much we trust our pets compared to other humans. Pet owners are almost twice as likely to trust their pet over their romantic partner (53% vs. 27%). Only 11% said they trust their best friend the most.
This trust extends to animals’ instincts—38% of pet owners trust their pet’s instincts more than their own. One respondent shared a life-saving example: “I would have died if I didn’t go to the ER back in June, my dog alerted my husband something wasn’t right.”
The comfort level with pets creates unique dynamics in relationships. Nearly half (49%) of respondents would sit on the toilet in front of their pet but not their partner. Similarly, many would more comfortably fart (43%), cry (39%), or shower (31%) in front of their pet than their partner.
Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel, another Nulo spokesperson, echoed these sentiments: “Whether it’s early morning training or long travel days, my dog Jane is always my constant. She lifts my spirits, keeps me grounded, and makes every day better just by being there. Our pets give us so much, and it’s up to us to make sure they get the love and care they deserve in return.”
Methodology
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 cat and dog owners in January 2025, with Nulo pet food brand commissioning the study. The online survey used quality control measures including removing rushed responses, checking open-ended answers for relevance, using Captcha to filter out automated responses, and preventing duplicate submissions.
The researchers note that since the survey required internet access, the results represent specifically the experiences of pet owners with online connectivity.
