The study of the beneficial effects of pet ownership on some aspects of human well-being and behaviors

There is extensive anecdotal and observational evidence suggesting that pet ownership provides mutual benefits for both humans and animals. The present study explored the relationship between human–pet attachment and various aspects of physical and psychological well-being across different demographic groups. To assess the bond between humans and their pets in relation to overall well-being in Dhaka city, Bangladesh, data from 328 pet owners were collected and analyzed over a one-month period (15 February to 15 July). Among the participants, 9.76% of pets were kept by young owners, 18.29% by older owners, and 71.95% by middle-aged individuals. Of the total respondents, 52.44% were female and 47.56% were male. The marital status of participants showed that 58.54% were married, 34.15% were unmarried, and 7.32% were divorced. In terms of family composition, 56.10% of owners had no children, 21.95% had one child, 17.07% had two children, and 4.88% had three. Regarding employment, 65.85% were employed, while 34.15% were unemployed. Most respondents (70.73%) lived in joint families, whereas 29.27% lived separately. When examining pet ownership experience, 62.20% had kept pets for a short period, while 37.80% had long-term ownership. The majority (65.85%) kept pets as companions or for recreational purposes, 28.05% for breeding, and 6.10% for security reasons. In terms of health impacts, 41.46% of owners reported no noticeable effect of pet ownership on chronic diseases or mental health. However, 9.76% observed improvements in conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, while 48.78% reported reduced feelings of anger, depression, loneliness, and restlessness due to pet companionship. A minority of owners (20.73%) experienced health issues such as ringworm, asthma, or allergic reactions related to pet ownership, whereas 79.27% reported no such problems. Overall, the findings suggest that keeping pets may positively influence human health and emotional well-being, with some benefits potentially lasting over an extended period.