Did you know every day pets make their owners smile an average of 11 times and make them laugh 9 times?
A national survey of cat and dog parents, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Nulo, revealed that 56% of survey respondents have been rescued by their four-legged companions in one way or another.
The survey explored how our canines and felines boost our mental health; lifting us when we’re low, grounding us when we soar too high, and offering unwavering support.
Thirty-four percent of survey respondents purposely got a pet to improve their mental health, and there was near-unanimous (95%) agreement that having a pet improves their mental health daily.
But what exactly causes these moments of endearment? Respondents shared some of their favorite ways their pets bring them joy daily such as, “playing fetch in the yard,” “opening the door by themselves,” “laying on their back, begging to be scratched,” or simply “getting the zoomies.”
“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," said Nulo brand partner and gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles. “Just like they take care of us, it’s our job to take care of them too.”
To Simone’s point on just how much our pets impact our mental health, only 32% of survey respondents graded their mental health between an A+ and an A- before getting a pet. After getting their pet, that number leaps to 72%!!
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.”
“Whether it’s early morning training or long travel days, my dog Jane is always my constant,” said Nulo brand partner and nine-time gold medalist Caeleb Dressel. “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.”
At Nulo, we understand that pets are such an important part of our emotional support system. In fact, they fuel the incredible in us. And we can show our thanks by making sure we love, spoil, and fuel them with the best nutrition possible. Choose Nulo for premium nutrition featuring high-meat, low-carb, irresistible recipes for your four-legged family members. Fuel Incredible.
faqs for Mental Health Impacts From Pets
Learn How Your Pet Impacts Your Mental Health
Pets show up for us in a way that's hard to replicate. They offer consistent, unconditional companionship with no judgment.. That consistency matters more than it might seem. A national survey conducted on behalf of Nulo found that 95% of pet owners agreed that having a pet improves their emotional well-being daily, and the number of people who rated their emotional health positively nearly doubled after getting a pet. The reasons are personal and varied: some describe the lift they get from a greeting at the door, others point to the grounding effect of a routine built around an animal's needs, and others simply say their pet makes them feel needed and less alone. Dogs, cats, and the bonds we build with them are genuinely meaningful parts of how many people navigate hard days. At Nulo, that relationship is at the heart of everything we do.
For many people, yes, and the experience is backed by a meaningful body of research. Interacting with a pet has been shown to lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding and comfort. Simply petting a dog or cat can shift the body's stress response in measurable ways. Beyond the physiological, pets provide something harder to quantify: a reason to get up, go outside, follow a routine, and focus on something outside of your own thoughts. The Nulo-commissioned survey found that pets make their owners smile an average of 11 times and laugh 9 times per day — numbers that speak to how consistently pets interrupt negative emotional states with something lighter. None of this replaces professional support when that's needed, but for everyday mood management and the accumulation of small moments that add up, the effect of a pet in your life is real and meaningful.
Research consistently points to several meaningful benefits. Pet ownership is associated with reduced feelings of loneliness and social isolation, particularly for people who live alone or are going through difficult life transitions. The physical routine that comes with pet care — daily walks, feeding schedules, play sessions — provides structure that supports overall well-being. The physical act of petting an animal has documented calming effects, including reduced heart rate and muscle tension. Dogs specifically encourage social interaction, since walking a dog opens conversations and creates community in ways that can otherwise be hard to initiate. Cats provide companionship on quieter terms, offering comfort through proximity, purring, and the kind of low-key presence that suits people who are drained rather than energized by social interaction. Thirty-four percent of respondents in the Nulo survey said they intentionally got a pet to support their emotional health — and the vast majority said it worked.
Because for many people, it's genuinely true. The Nulo survey found that 56% of pet owners described being rescued by their pet in some way. What that looks like varies: a dog who got someone out of bed on the hardest days of their life, a cat who curled up during a panic attack, a pet whose simple neediness gave structure to a period of grief or loss. Animals don't fix things, and they can't understand what we're going through. But they stay. They show up with the same warmth on your worst day that they bring on your best. They make you laugh when you don't feel like it and sit beside you when you don't want company but can't stand being alone. That consistency, that unconditional presence, is what people mean when they say a pet rescued them. It's not hyperbole — it's an honest accounting of what that relationship does for the human side of it.
The best answer is intentional care that goes beyond the minimum. Your pet doesn't need much to feel loved, but they do need nutrition that genuinely supports their health, daily interaction that honors their nature, and your attention in the moments that matter to them. For dogs, that might mean a walk that's actually about them — letting them sniff, explore, and move at their own pace — rather than just a functional bathroom trip. For cats, it might mean ten minutes of real play with a wand toy rather than passive presence in the same room. High-quality nutrition is one of the most meaningful forms of advocacy you can offer, since what goes in the bowl directly affects how your pet feels and how long they stay healthy. Nulo treats and enrichment products are a practical way to bring joy and variety into your pet's daily routine while keeping nutrition at the center. The relationship is reciprocal. Your pet shows up for you every day, and thoughtful, intentional care is how you show up for them.