For over 80 years, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has helped us understand what humans need to survive and thrive. This theory divides needs into two types: deficiency and growth. It suggests that when our basic needs aren’t met, we are motivated to fulfill them. Maslow pictured these needs as a pyramid, with basic survival needs at the bottom. As we meet these basic needs, we move up the pyramid to achieve safety, love and belonging, esteem, and finally, self-actualisation. [1]

Interestingly, we can think about pets in a comparable way. Pets depend on humans for their basic survival needs, but the relationship between pets and humans goes far beyond that. This article hopes to provide an understanding of how caring for a pet can fulfill and enrich many aspects of your life.

Mutual Rewards

Pets provide endless physical and mental health benefits to their owners. Studies show that having a pet can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Living with a dog can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by up to 31% [2]. On the other hand, people who do not own cats have a 40% higher risk of having a heart attack compared to cat owners.

Just as we benefit from having pets, pets rely on us for their basic needs like food, water, shelter, and health care. However, taking care of a pet’s medical needs can be expensive. Pet parents need to plan ahead to make sure they can afford these costs. According to PetSure’s 2023 Claims data, one in seven dogs and cats have had lifetime healthcare costs over $50,000.

Affection and Connection

Pets also boost our well-being by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels when we cuddle or hold them [4]. This improves our mental health and emotional well-being. Studies also show that pets can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve our broader quality of life [5].

Pets, like humans, need companionship and affection to fulfill their psychological needs.

Providing mental stimulation through games and toys, along with regular exercise such as playtime and walks, significantly enhances their cognitive function. Ultimately, these activities contribute to their overall well-being [6]. This can reduce your pet’s stress levels, assist in bad behaviour management, and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.

Fulfilling our Instinctive Purposes

Over 60% of pet owners view their cats and dogs as family members [7]. Taking care of a pet requires responsibility and routine, which can give us a sense of purpose and achievement. This responsibility can be an important part of our identity and help us feel like we belong. For children, caring for a pet can help them develop empathy and compassion which is a great way to introduce emotional development in a new light [8].

Pets also need guidance, training, and interactive play to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. Research shows that dogs are motivated by pursuing rewards, safety, and a sense of social belonging, not just by pleasing their owners [9]. Reward-based training shows how aligning a pet’s natural motivations with positive outcomes, like treats, can enhance their well-being.

While pets don’t pursue self-actualisation like humans do, they can achieve fulfilment, purpose and well-being with our help. Recognising and nurturing their natural motivations for happiness, security, and social interaction helps pets express their natural behaviours. Creating an environment where pets can enjoy rewards, companionship, and meaningful activities helps them be their happiest and most fulfilled selves.

Sources

Dr Kaylene Jones 2024, Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) 2021 Report highlights vital role of veterinarians in society, Animal Medicines Australia, Animal Medicines Australia, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.vetvoice.com.au/articles/ama-report-highlights-vital-role-of-veterinarians-in-society/>.

https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets

Caroline K. Kramer, Sadia Mehmood & Renée S. Suen 2019, Dog Ownership and Survival A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, AHA Journals, AHA Journals, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554>.

The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Having a Pet 2020, Psychology Today, Psychology Today, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/202010/the-psychological-and-physical-benefits-having-pet>.

Nancy R. Gee, Kerri E. Rodriguez, Aubrey H. Fine & Janet P. Trammell 2021, Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach, National LIbrary of Medicine, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8042315/>.

Good Mental Stimulation For Dogs n.d., Vet Explains Pet, Vet Explains Pet, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://vetexplainspets.com/good-mental-stimulation-for-dogs/#>.

Dog Training Requires Respecting the Deep Emotional Lives of Dogs 2022, Psychology Today, Psychology Today.

Deborah L. Wells, Megan A. Clements, Laura J. Elliott, Eimear S. Meehan, Cora J. Montgomery & Grace A. Williams (2022) Quality of the Human–Animal Bond and Mental Wellbeing During a COVID-19 Lockdown, Anthrozoös, 35:6, 847-866, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2022.2051935

Buchanan, T. M., & McConnell, A. R. (2017). Family as a source of support under stress: Benefits of greater breadth of family inclusion. Self and Identity, 16, 97-122.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554

May Clinic News Network 2023, Why dogs are good for your health, Medical Xpress, Mayo Clinic News Network, viewed 19 March 2024, <https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-12-dogs-good-health.html?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MedicalXpress_TrendMD_1>.

Psychology Today (n.d.). Animal-Assisted Therapy. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/animal-assisted-therapy [Accessed 19 Mar. 2024].

RSPCA Australia n.d., The importance of enrichment for dogs Generic Avatar RSPCA Aus, RSPCA Australia, RSPCA Australia, viewed 20 March 2024, <https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/the-importance-of-enrichment-for-dogs/#:~:text=As%20responsible%20pet%20owners%2C%20prioritising,physical%20exercise%2C%20and%20emotional%20fulfillment.>.

Hare & Tomasello (2005): This reference is to studies conducted by Brian Hare and Michael Tomasello, who have extensively researched canine cognition. For specific studies, look for their work on dog intelligence and social behavior, particularly regarding how dogs understand human gestures and social cues. You might search for their research on Google Scholar or in academic databases using terms like “Brian Hare Michael Tomasello dog cognition.”

Fernandes et al. (2017): This is a generalized reference to studies on reward-based training effectiveness. To find specific studies, you could search academic databases or Google Scholar for “reward-based dog training” and include “Fernandes” in your search terms to look for authors by that name published in 2017.

Deborah L. Wells, Megan A. Clements, Laura J. Elliott, Eimear S. Meehan, Cora J. Montgomery & Grace A. Williams (2022) Quality of the Human–Animal Bond and Mental Wellbeing During a COVID-19 Lockdown, Anthrozoös, 35:6, 847-866, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2022.2051935

Range & Virányi (2014): Friederike Range and Zsófia Virányi have conducted studies on dog social learning and cooperation. To locate their work, use search terms like “Range Virányi dog social learning” or “dog cooperation studies” in academic search engines or on Google Scholar.

American Kennel Club n.d., Dog Breeds, American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, viewed 20 March 2024, <https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/>.

References

[1] It should be noted that the order of needs is not a rigid structure and may be quite flexible based on external circumstances. It has also since been expanded upon to include cognitive and aesthetic needs.

[2] Caroline K. Kramer, Sadia Mehmood & Renée S. Suen 2019, Dog Ownership and Survival A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, AHA Journals, AHA Journals, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554>.

‌[3] https://habri.org/assets/uploads/HAB_The-Pet-Effect_Heart_Attack_Survival.png

[4] The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Having a Pet 2020, Psychology Today, Psychology Today, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/202010/the-psychological-and-physical-benefits-having-pet>.

‌[5] Nancy R. Gee, Kerri E. Rodriguez, Aubrey H. Fine & Janet P. Trammell 2021, Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach, National LIbrary of Medicine, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8042315/>.

‌[6] Good Mental Stimulation For Dogs n.d., Vet Explains Pet, Vet Explains Pet, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://vetexplainspets.com/good-mental-stimulation-for-dogs/#>.

‌[7] Dr Kaylene Jones 2024, Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) 2021 Report highlights vital role of veterinarians in society, Animal Medicines Australia, Animal Medicines Australia, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.vetvoice.com.au/articles/ama-report-highlights-vital-role-of-veterinarians-in-society/>.

[8] Children’s and Adolescents’ Pet Attachment, Empathy, and Compassionate Responding to Self and Others 2022, MDPI, MDPI, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/2/4/39>.‌[9] https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/animal-emotions/202202/dog-training-requires-respecting-the-deep-emotional-lives-dogs

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