University of Kent: New study proves pets increase human life satisfaction and wellbeing

Posted on April 10, 2025 by michelleclarke2015

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New study proves pets increase human life satisfaction and wellbeing

Olivia Miller

8 April 2025

Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

Having a cat or a dog as a companion can increase human life satisfaction and wellbeing as much as family and friends do, according to new Kent-led research.

Analysis from economics researchers estimating pets’ impact on human life satisfaction and wellbeing in monetary units found that cat and dog companions are in fact worth up to £70,000 a year in life satisfaction to their owners. This has been concluded using the ‘life satisfaction approach’, a methodology developed by economists and a process using simple regression analysis to determine the implicit price of different factors or occurrences in life. For example, economists have shown using life satisfaction surveys that marriage, compared to being single, is worth around £70,000 a year for a representative person in Great Britain.

While pets have long been associated with better health benefits both physically and mentally, the direct contribution to life satisfaction had not been conclusive in previous research. The paper published by Social Indicators Research also revealed what personality traits are linked to cat and dog carers. Cat carers were found to be more open whereas dog carers appear to be more extroverted, agreeable and less neurotic. Pet carers in general appear to be more open, conscientious, and extroverted than non-pet carers.

The research was led by Dr Adelina Gschwandtner at Kent’s School of Economics, Politics and International Relations alongside Dr Michael Gmeiner at London School of Economics (LSE).

Dr Gschwandtner said: ‘This research answers the question whether overall pet companions are good for us with a resounding ‘Yes’. Pets care for us and there is a significant monetary value associated with their companionship. This information can be used for health care practice and policy aiming to increase well-being and life satisfaction of humans involving pets.’

The research paper ‘The Value of Pets: The Quantifiable Impact of Pets on Life Satisfaction’ is published by Social Indicators Research. doi: 10.1007/s11205-025-03574-1

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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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