Dogs have long been promoted as the perfect antidote to combating loneliness and anxiety. It seems that not a week goes by without a new study emerging that champions the ‘pet effect’; the idea that animals improve our mental health simply by being in our lives. When COVID-19 hit, this belief only gained traction. With lockdowns isolating millions, many turned to pets for companionship, leading to a surge in dog acquisition (and, not long after, a spike in rehoming).
While the emotional appeal of owning a pet is undeniable, the scientific evidence has remained mixed. Many studies reporting benefits tend to recruit from self-selecting samples, which means they are comprised of people who already love and live with animals and are, therefore, emotionally invested in the topic. Other studies that showcase the benefits of having pets often lack construct validity. This means studies may claim to measure something like “mental health” or “bond strength,” but the tools used might not accurately capture those concepts. Without careful design, findings can look more robust than they are. Now, a new longitudinal study by Mokos et al. (2025) offers a more rigorous look at whether acquiring or losing a pet really changes how we feel, and the findings provide a reality check on the much-hyped ‘pet effect’.
The study and its findings
This Hungarian study followed nearly 3,000 adults over two years during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike many previous investigations, this one did not just look at current pet owners; it tracked people before they got a dog or lost one and measured how their emotional wellbeing changed over time. This design is important. It allowed the researchers to look at cause and effect, rather than relying on people’s memories or only surveying those already invested in pet ownership. This reduces bias in the results.
Out of the full sample, 65 individuals acquired a dog during the study, 75 lost a pet, and the rest formed the comparison group. Participants were surveyed at three key points between 2020 and 2021 on a range of measures including life satisfaction, cheerfulness, calmness, activity levels and loneliness.
People who got a dog reported a short-term lift in cheerfulness. But this did not last. Over time, they reported lower levels of calmness, life satisfaction and activity compared to those who had not acquired a pet. Perhaps most surprising was that acquiring a dog did not reduce loneliness; in fact, levels of anxiety increased.
As for those who lost a pet, while we might expect to see significant declines in wellbeing, the study did not find strong long-term effects. There may have been initial sadness, but overall, emotional states stabilised.
Does this mean we shouldn’t get a dog?
This new research does not suggest dogs are not good for us, far from it. Instead, it highlights that timing, context and motivation really matter. For example, many of the people who acquired a dog did so reactively, during a global crisis. This supports my anecdotal experience working with clients during and after the pandemic. So, it is entirely possible that the added responsibilities, including training, exercising, and simply adapting to life with a dog, created more stress than people anticipated.
These findings will likely be unsurprising for those of us working in the training and behaviour sector. Many post-lockdown cases involved dogs who were unable to socialise properly and, subsequently, displayed over-reactive responses towards others, struggled with separation-related issues, sound sensitivities, and or ended up in rescue because guardians could not meet their needs. Good intentions do not always equal good outcomes, for either the human or the dog.
The findings of Mokos et al. (2025) support earlier work by Purewal et al. (2017), who reviewed the literature on human-animal interactions and highlighted the inconsistent findings. Some people absolutely thrive with a dog in their life; I know that for my family and me, we could not be without a family dog. Yet for others, they may not see a dramatic change once they have acquired a dog, and some may even feel more overwhelmed, especially if the dog develops or already has problem behaviours. Similarly, Brooks et al. (2018) found that while pets could provide comfort for those experiencing mental health issues, they could also create feelings of guilt, burden or strain if the individual lacked support.
What does this research mean for us?
If there is one key takeaway message here, it is this: the ‘pet effect’ is not universal. Yes, dogs can bring structure, purpose and joy. However, this is only possible when the relationship is mutual, expectations are realistic, and the guardian has the time, resources, and commitment to support the animal for life.
This study provides a helpful reminder to avoid oversimplified messaging and well-meaning friends and family who suggest that someone “get a dog” to ease loneliness, as this may do more harm than good if that person is not emotionally or practically prepared. Instead, focus should be on helping people weigh up the decision carefully, with honesty and support. So, if you are considering getting a dog for the first time, it is worth asking yourself these five questions:
- What’s driving my desire to get a dog right now?
- When you picture life with a dog, what does a typical day look like for both of you?
- What matters most to you in this relationship, and how will you know when that’s going well?
- What support, knowledge or structure would make you feel confident in giving a dog what they need, even on hard days?
- Thinking ahead two, five, even ten years, what might change in your life, and how would a dog still fit into that picture?
A well-matched, well-supported dog can absolutely enrich your life. However, as this new research reveals, the benefits of pet ownership are not guaranteed, and they may not be immediately apparent.
References
- Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L., Rogers, A. (2018)‘The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry. 18(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1613-2
- Mokos, J., Kubinyi, E., Ujfalussy, D. J., Iotchev, I. B., Paksi, B., Demetrovics, Z., Urbán, R., Miklósi, Á. (2025) No lasting effects of pet acquisition or loss during the COVID-19 pandemic on human well-being: longitudinal evidence from a representative study. Scientific Reports.15, Article 13178. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06987-7
- Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., Westgarth, C. (2017) Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14(3), 234. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14030234
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Hanne has a number of publications including her book Playing With Your Dog to help owners work out the games that are best suited for their pet to play throughout his life, from puppyhood to old age, available from Amazon. Check out Hanne's range of contemporary casuals The Collection – for pet lovers made from recyclable, organic materials that are sustainably sourced.
