Why have a pet ?

People usually search this when they’re weighing up a new pet, or trying to work out whether the daily effort will be worth it in the long run. The answer depends less on “pets are great” and more on fit: the animal’s needs, your time and budget, and how steady your routine is.

When it works, a pet can add quiet companionship, more movement through the day, and a stronger sense of rhythm at home. When it doesn’t, the costs land on both you and the animal. The notes below focus on benefits that are supported by research, and the practical responsibilities that keep those benefits real.

Companionship that changes the feel of a home

Many pets settle into the background of daily life like a small, familiar weather system: always present, often grounding. For people living alone, that presence can soften the edges of isolation. For families, it can add a gentle point of shared attention—feeding, walking, training, cleaning—small tasks that anchor the day.

Evidence suggests pets can support social and emotional wellbeing, including reducing feelings of loneliness and helping people feel more connected to others, particularly through activities like walking a dog and meeting neighbours at the park.^{1, 2, 3}

Health effects: real, but not guaranteed

The strongest, most consistent physical-health pathway is simple: some pets (especially dogs) nudge people outdoors and into light exercise. Over time, that can support cardiovascular health for some owners.^{1, 2}

It’s also worth keeping expectations tidy. Major medical organisations note that the evidence is mixed, and no-one should adopt a pet purely “to fix” blood pressure or heart risk. Think of it as a possible nudge toward healthier habits—one that only works if you can meet the animal’s needs every day.¹

Quick reality check

• Likely benefit: more incidental movement (walks, play, errands to the vet and pet shop).²
• Possible benefit: lower stress and improved mood in some people, especially with regular interaction and a steady routine.^{2, 3}
• Not a promise: measurable changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, or long-term outcomes—results vary and research doesn’t always agree.¹

Mental health and stress: comfort, routine, and a focus outside yourself

There’s a particular kind of calm that comes from predictable care tasks: a feed at dawn, a walk at the same corner, a quiet check of water bowls. For some people, that routine helps with stress and gives the day clearer shape.⁴

Physical contact and play can also help people downshift in the moment. Health advice sources note links between time with pets and lower stress and anxiety for some owners, though effects vary by person and circumstance.^{2, 3}

Responsibility and life lessons (especially for children)

Pets can be a steady way to teach practical care: noticing empty bowls, keeping to a routine, learning that animals have needs that don’t pause for weekends. Children can help, but the responsibility must still sit with the adults.

There’s also the harder lesson: most families will eventually face illness and death in a pet. That can become a quiet, age-appropriate introduction to grief and responsibility, provided adults guide it with honesty and care rather than leaving children to make sense of it alone.

Social connection and community

Pets often act as harmless “social glue”. Dog walking, training classes, and local parks create repeat encounters where people talk naturally—first about the animal, then about the neighbourhood, and sometimes about life beyond it.²

Protection and security: keep claims modest

A dog’s bark can be a deterrent and an early warning, and many owners feel safer with a dog in the house. But “security” varies widely by breed, training, temperament, and the way the dog is managed. A pet is not a security system, and treating one like a weapon is unsafe and unfair to the animal.

Cats, on the other hand, are more likely to provide comfort than active protection. They may react to unusual noises, but it’s not reliable “guarding” behaviour.

Before you commit: the responsibilities that matter most

The benefits people talk about—companionship, routine, better days—rest on the unglamorous basics: time, money, and consistency. Animal welfare organisations describe pet ownership as a long-term commitment that requires planning and ongoing care, not just affection.⁵

Non-negotiables to plan for

• Daily care: food, fresh water, exercise (where needed), hygiene, safe housing, and supervision.
• Veterinary care: routine check-ups, vaccinations and parasite control, plus a plan for emergencies.
• Identification and legal requirements: microchipping and keeping details up to date (requirements vary by state/territory and council).^{5, 6, 7, 8}
• Containment and behaviour: training, enrichment, and preventing roaming or nuisance behaviour.

If you’re on the fence, start here

• Choose an animal whose exercise and care needs match your typical week, not your best week.
• Budget for the full lifespan, including veterinary surprises.
• Consider adopting through a reputable shelter or rescue that can help match temperament to your household.⁵

Final thoughts

A good pet match doesn’t transform life in one dramatic moment. It accumulates—through small repetitions, quiet company, and the steady work of care. If you can meet an animal’s needs reliably, the relationship often pays you back in ordinary, lasting ways.

References

1. American Heart Association: Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk (Scientific Statement, Circulation)
2. US CDC: Healthy Pets, Healthy People — Ways to stay healthy around animals
3. healthdirect Australia: Health benefits of having a pet
4. Mayo Clinic Press: The benefits of having a pet
5. RSPCA Australia: Responsible pet ownership
6. RSPCA Australia: Microchipping
7. ACT Government (City Services): Responsible dog ownership — your responsibilities
8. Agriculture Victoria: Microchipping of dogs and cats
9. Western Australia (DLGSC): Microchipping requirements for cats and dogs