Document Type
Blog Post
Publication Date
2022
Abstract
The $100 billion pet products industry promotes the idea that getting a pet makes people happier. Yet, more than a dozen studies have found that pet owners are not any happier than people who do not live with a companion animal. A psychological process called hedonic adaptation explains why pet-keeping is usually not associated with an increase in overall happiness. New research, however, has found that playing and interacting with pets does result in temporary increases in the happiness of their owners.
Recommended Citation
Herzog, H. 2022. The Puzzling Relationship Between Pet-Keeping and Happiness Psychology Today Dec 22nd https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/202112/the-puzzling-relationship-between-pet-keeping-and-happiness
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