Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

There’s a common belief that having a pet is good for one’s wellbeing. You often hear stories about how looking into a dog’s eyes gives you an emotional boost or that using real and fake animals in rest homes boosts residents’ moods, but it turns out it’s not a guaranteed path to better mental health – reality is more nuanced.   Some studies do find that pet owners report lower anxiety and loneliness, and greater life satisfaction. However, other studies show no significant difference, and some have even found that pet owners actually reported lower wellbeing, including higher loneliness, than non-owners.   The type of bond between owner and pet plays a crucial role.   Owners with insecure attachments (e.g. anxiety about separation or doubts about their pet’s affection) tend to report higher depression and anxiety – this likely to be worse if your pet also has insecure attachment and worries when you’re not there!   Feeling a shared identity with a pet (e.g. similar traits or habits) is li