What Makes Pet Owners So Unique?

May 17, 2019

Pet Owners Unique

 

Putting aside the differences between dog and cat people, pet owners are significantly unlike other human beings. We’re special and one study set out to prove it.

 

Published in the scientific journal PLOS One in 2017, a significant research article from UCLA examined the differences between pet and non-pet owners in terms of socio-demographics and health. Its purpose was to find what kind of impact our pets have on our physical and mental health compared to non-pet owners.

 

Differences between pet owners and non-pet owners

 

Studying data sets from a significant health survey of more than 42,000 California residents, scientists found that pet owners and non-pet owners differ across many traits, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, living arrangements, and income. 

 

They found more than half of the survey population were pet owners (about 62% of Americans):

 

  • 26% dog owners
  • 22% cat owners
  • 9% dog and cat owners

 

Are pet owners healthier than non-pet owners?

 

Accounting for the differences in demographics, the findings of the study showed a bias in the positive health outcomes of pet ownership shown in other research. For example, married caucasian women from a high income bracket have a greater chance of living to a healthy, ripe old age. The fact that they are also more likely to own a pet is inconsequential, according to this study. 

 

Other findings from this study include:

 

  • Women are 8% more likely to own a dog, and 16% more likely to own a cat;
  • Married people are 34% more likely to own a dog, and 9% more likely to own a cat;
  • Homeowners are 3x more likely to own a dog, and 60% more likely to own a cat.

 

In conclusion, the researchers found a variety of socio-demographic variables between pet and non-pet owners, but little difference between the two groups in health outcomes. While it is true that the majority of pet owners in the study showed positive mental and physical health characteristics, the study couldn’t prove whether the cause was lifestyle or the relationship between pets and owners, or indeed a combination. 

 

Like most of these studies, methodology and selection bias is always a factor. As a pet owner, and I think you’ll agree, we don’t need studies to tell us how great our pets make us feel. We have all the proof we need right in front of us!

 

by Natalie Secretan

 

Reference:  

Exploring the differences between pet and non-pet owners: Implications for human-animal interaction research and policy; June 23, 2017: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179494

 

Photo by Thomas Hawk ~ Best Friends