A groundbreaking new study published in Scientific Reports is challenging a long-held assumption in psychology and human-animal interaction research: the so-called “pet effect,” which posits that owning a companion animal universally enhances human well-being. Through an extensive and methodologically rigorous investigation conducted during the extraordinary conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary have found that acquiring or losing a pet had no sustained positive or negative impact on the emotional health of a representative sample of nearly 3,000 individuals. Contrary to popular belief and marketing narratives, the emotional benefits attributed to pet ownership may be far more nuanced—and context-dependent—than traditionally assumed.
The study deployed a unique longitudinal design capitalizing on multiple data collection points during the restrictive 2020 pandemic lockdowns when millions worldwide experienced profound social isolation. By measuring indicators of emotional well-being such as cheerfulness, calmness, life satisfaction, anxiety, loneliness, and general activity levels, the research team set out to formally assess whether short- and medium-term changes in well-being could be directly linked to pet ownership dynamics. Importantly, the sample was unbiased: data was gathered from participants irrespective of their initial attitudes toward pets, allowing for results that could be generalized beyond the typical cohort of self-identified animal lovers.
Pet acquisition—the process by which individuals or households bring a new animal companion into their lives—has often been celebrated as inherently beneficial for mental health, particularly during periods of heightened stress or loneliness. Campaigns by animal shelters and pet food companies promote dogs and cats as antidotes to isolation and anxiety. However, this new evidence from Hungary suggests that while there may be a transient uplift in mood immediately after adopting a dog, such effects are short-lived. Over the longer term, dog owners in the study reported decreases in calmness, cheerfulness, and life satisfaction, challenging the simplistic narrative that pets universally buffer against psychological distress.
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The data also yielded surprising findings about the impact of pet loss. Contrary to expectations that losing a pet would generate measurable declines in emotional well-being, researchers observed no statistically significant changes across a variety of well-being metrics following the departure of a companion animal from a household. This challenges the stereotype of the pet-owner bond as an emotionally transformative attachment comparable to other significant relationships. Instead, these results hint at complex social and psychological processes mediating how individuals experience companionship and loss.
A key methodological strength of the investigation lies in how pet acquisition and loss were documented. Unlike typical studies that often recruit participants already invested in pet ownership, this research used a spontaneous and unbiased cohort. “This approach circumvents common biases seen in past literature, as it includes people who may be casual or incidental pet owners, not just devoted animal caregivers,” explains Eniko Kubinyi, head of the MTA-ELTE Momentum Companion Animals Research Group. The study’s repeated assessments over several months helped illuminate temporal dynamics, distinguishing immediate reactions from sustained emotional trajectories.
From a psychological standpoint, the findings suggest that the assumed “pet effect” is neither universal nor guaranteed. Instead, it appears contingent on individual differences, caregiving roles, and possibly sociocultural factors. For example, people who only casually live with pets but are not primary caregivers may not develop strong emotional attachments or receive psychological benefits from pet ownership. Similarly, the stress of pet loss may not register with those who share a household but whose emotional investment is limited.
Perhaps most provocatively, new pet acquisition did not reduce feelings of loneliness among the participants. This is particularly noteworthy given the widespread promotion of dogs as companions to alleviate social isolation, especially among vulnerable demographics like older adults. The research team, including data scientist Judit Mokos, points out that pet ownership may in fact increase anxiety rather than diminish loneliness, possibly due to the additional responsibilities, care demands, or changed routines that pets introduce into households during an already stressful, pandemic-induced environment.
Evolutionary and cognitive biologists have traditionally noted the mutual benefits humans and their companion animals derive from cohabitation, suggesting a co-evolved social relationship. However, this study’s findings intimate that under acute social stress, such as during global lockdowns, the real-time emotional advantages are more delicate and context-dependent than previously thought. While dedicated animal lovers or those with pre-existing close bonds may enjoy emotional rewards, the broader population’s experience is far more heterogeneous.
The research team’s nuanced conclusions caution against sweeping generalizations and highlight that pet ownership is not a panacea for mental health challenges. The impulsive nature of some pet acquisitions during the pandemic may even have adverse consequences if driven by short-term emotional needs rather than long-term readiness and commitment. The study underscores the importance of recognizing diverse experiences and the need for tailored mental health strategies that do not over-rely on companion animals as therapeutic tools.
By harnessing an unbiased participant sample and leveraging a robust, longitudinal research design, this study adds a new dimension to the scientific understanding of human-animal relationships. It raises critical questions about popular assumptions, commercial messaging, and the role of pets in psychological resilience, especially during unprecedented global crises such as COVID-19. The findings pave the way for future investigations to explore which subpopulations may actually benefit from companion animals and under what circumstances.
In sum, this landmark study challenges humanity’s romanticized narrative about the pet effect, suggesting that the emotional impact of pet ownership is far from a simple, universal phenomenon. While animals remain cherished companions for many, the complex interplay of human psychology, caregiving roles, and social context must be recognized to fully understand the true effects of pets on our well-being—revealing an intricate, sometimes ambivalent, bond rather than a guaranteed emotional lifeline.
Subject of Research: Psychological impacts of pet acquisition and loss on human well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
Article Title: Short-term effects of pet acquisition and loss on well-being in an unbiased sample during the COVID-19 pandemic
News Publication Date: 1-Jul-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06987-7
References: Mokos, J., Kubinyi, E., Ujfalussy, D., Iotchec, I.B., Paksi, B., Demetrovics, Z., Urbán, R., Miklósi, Á. (2025). Short-term effects of pet acquisition and loss on well-being in an unbiased sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Reports. DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-06987-7
Image Credits: Photo: Vanda Molnár
Keywords: pet ownership, human-animal bond, COVID-19 pandemic, psychological well-being, loneliness, pet acquisition, pet loss, mental health, companion animals, longitudinal study, emotional impact
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