Other Relationships - Pets

Question 1

stats about pet ownership in Canada

Answer 1

• According to Canadian Animal Health Institute:
• • Increase in dog population from 2016-2018 → 7.6 million to 8.2 million
• • Cat population has stabilized around 8.3 million
• • 41% of households have at least 1 dog
• • 38% of households have at least 1 cat

Question 2

why do we have pets?

Answer 2

• Evolutionary benefits:
• • We are a social species -> we seek out relationships with others, including our pets
• • If we lack social support, more vulnerable to disease and infection
• In a cultural analysis of 60 countries, 52 countries kept dogs, but only 22 considered them as companions or pets

Question 3

benefits of pet ownership

Answer 3

• Love and companionship
• • Creates a secure attachment between owner and pet
• • Medical and physical benefits:
• – Lowers stress response and increases oxytocin
• – Increased physical activity (ie. playing, walking)
• • Emotional and social benefits:
• – Unconditional love
• – Meet other people when walking dogs

Question 4

McConnell et al. pet ownership benefits study (basics)

Answer 4

• Explored the potential benefits of pet ownership among everyday people:
• 3 studies:
• • Study 1: compared well-being of pet owners and non-owners
• • Study 2: looked at people’s’ social needs fulfilment from dogs
• • Study 3: can pets provide social needs fulfilment with an induced rejection experience?
• Methods: adults (mainly women) completed online questionnaires
• • Well-being measures (ie. depression, loneliness, self-esteem, physical illness, subjective happiness, and fitness)
• • Individual-difference measures (ie. personality and attachment style)
• • Inclusion and support measures (inclusion of others in self and social support)
• • Pet-specific items: ex. Pet anthropomorphism

Question 5

McConnell et al. pet ownership benefits study (results)

Answer 5

• Pet owners reported:
• • Higher self-esteem
• • Higher levels of exercise/physical fitness
• • Lower levels of loneliness compared to non-pet owners
• When compared to non-pet owners, pet owners reported higher scores on conscientiousness and extraversion
• Pet owners also reported more inclusion of their pet in the self and greater support for their pet

Question 6

risks of pet ownership

Answer 6

• If you have problems with mobility and/or stability, pets can get under your feet, jump, and knock you over
• Sanitary risk: animals can carry parasites that can be transferred to humans (owners with compromised immune systems would be vulnerable); animal feces carries bacteria
• Allergic reactions

Question 7

things to ask yourself - are you ready for a pet?

Answer 7

• How much time and energy are you able to give a pet? How would your work, school, or extra-curriculars impact your pet’s life?
• What’s your living situation? Apartment? Fenced yard? Rent or own? Planning a move?
• Where would the pet spend its time? Will it be stuck at home all the time?
• Does anyone you regularly interact with have allergies or fears about certain types of pets?