Owning a pet is good for your wellbeing – here’s why

• A new study from the University of Kent suggests that owning a cat or dog can be as beneficial for well-being as having a spouse or a significant salary increase.
• Researchers equated pet ownership to a £70,000 annual income increase or the equivalent of being married in terms of life satisfaction.
• Owning a pet increased life satisfaction by 3-4 points on a scale of 1-7, comparable to the benefits of regular social interaction with friends and family.
• The lead author believes many people underestimate the positive impact of pets on their lives.
• This research highlights the significant, quantifiable value of pet companionship for well-being and could inform healthcare practices.

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Having a cat or dog is as good for your wellbeing as having a husband or wife, study finds