While the positive effects of dog ownership on human mental health are widely acknowledged, evidence on causal mechanisms remains limited. Barcelos et al. (2023) conducted a prospective cohort study to explore the relationship between dog-related factors and owner wellbeing. Over a four-week period, 709 adult dog owners reported weekly measures of their wellbeing—including depression, anxiety, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing—alongside 17 dog-related factors.
The findings highlighted six factors associated with poorer owner wellbeing: aggressive dog behavior, fearful behavior, poor health in the dog, failure to provide adequate care, lack of control, and even the dog’s mere presence. In contrast, only friendly conversations with others prompted by the dog were correlated with improved wellbeing outcomes.
Notably, the study used a random intercept cross-lagged panel model to test potential causal effects but found none significant. This suggests that while associations are clear, further research is needed to establish direct causal pathways. Nevertheless, the authors conclude that purposeful efforts to reduce dog behavioral and health problems, alongside consistent care and increased dog-facilitated social interactions, may promote better owner mental health.
These results underscore the complex interplay between dog behavior, care practices, and owner psychology. While dogs can foster meaningful social connections and improve mood, unresolved behavioral or health challenges can significantly strain owner wellbeing.
Source: Barcelos, A. M., Kargas, N., Assheton, P., Maltby, J., Hall, S. S., & Mills, D. (2023). Dog owner mental health is associated with dog behavioural problems, dog care and dog-facilitated social interaction: a prospective cohort study. Scientific Reports, 13. Published December 8, 2023.
