Stressed People Prefer Spending Time With Their Pets Over Partners Or Family, Survey Finds

Amid Mental Health Awareness month, a new survey reveals that for many, he ultimate stress reliever doesnt come in the form of a person — its a pet.

A new global survey commissioned by pet care business Mars and mental health company Calm reveals that 58% of pet owners would rather spend time with their pet than their partner (32%), family (23%), or children or friends (both 18%) when feeling stressed.

The findings, drawn from more than 30,000 respondents across 20 countries, underscore the growing recognition of pets as powerful sources of emotional support.

According to the research, 83% of pet owners believe their pet positively impacts their mental wellbeing. More than half (56%) find comfort in their pets quiet companionship, and 84% say simply being near their pet brings a sense of calm.

“While we love our pets, we often dont realize how much they give back,” said Dr. Tammie King, a specialist in human-animal interaction and Senior Research Manager at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. “Reframing your pets daily interruptions as loving reminders to pause, breathe and be present can be a powerful wellness tool. Research shows that touch-based pet interactions can boost oxytocin levels in humans.2 The findings of this survey will help more people reflect on and acknowledge the little wellbeing moments pets nudge us towards on a daily basis.”  

The survey also found that nearly eight in 10 (78%) say their pet reminds them to pause and take a break from work or chores, and 50% say this happens daily.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) say their pet encourages them to stop overthinking or worrying, and the same number say their pet encourages them to spend time outside. Pets also help reduce screen time, with 77% saying their pets encourage them to step away from screens, and half saying it’s a daily reminder.

“We know that small, intentional moments of calm can have a big impact on our overall wellbeing, and our pets have an incredible way of guiding us there,” said Dr. Chris Mosunic, Chief Clinical Officer at Calm. “A quick dog walk, or cat cuddle at our desk when they stroll in front of the screen, can provide a simple moment to reset and recharge. Were proud to partner with Mars and bring this data to the forefront to highlight the potential of our bond with pets and help more people discover the wonderful wellbeing benefits our relationship with pets can bring.”

The survey marks the beginning of a partnership between Mars and Calm, including the first collection of pet-inspired Calm content, designed to promote wellbeing and celebrate the human-animal bond. The companies are also rolling out “My Pet Guru,” an interactive quiz on Kinship that highlights six distinct ways pets support mental and emotional health.

To celebrate their partnership, Mars and Calm are inviting pet owners to share stories of how their pets have positively impacted their wellbeing. Selected stories may become the inspiration for new Calm content later this year.