Want better mental health? Get a pet

Chennai: Having a pet helps boost mental health, cuts down screen time, improves sleep and reduces anxiety. Indian pet parents have recorded some of the highest rankings in all these categories in a just released global survey.

According to a survey by MNC petcare company Mars and mental health firm Calm, Indian pet parents ranked among the highest globally when it came to screen-time reduction (92% compared to around 74% globally), taking regular breaks from work (93% as compared to 77% globally) and feeling more relaxed by talking to their pet (82% as compared to 77% globally). Indian pet parents also ranked highest in improved sleep quality (79% compared to 55% in the US and 43% in the UK) and 88% of Indian pet owners said that their pets help reduce overthinking — significantly higher than most Western markets.

Also 76% Indian pet parents reported they feel more present and mindful because of their pets.Said Salil Murthy, MD, Mars Petcare India, “According to this survey, 82% of pet parents globally said that talking to their pet helps them feel more relaxed while 81% pet parents globally feel calmer when their pet settles beside them. Also 76% of those surveyed said their pet encourages them to stop overthinking while 75% are more likely to go outdoors, and 74% spend less time on social media due to their pet’s influence.

These are not just statistics — they reflect a transformative, under-recognized role pets play in our lives.” In fact, 79% of Indian pet owners said that their pet positively impacts their mental wellbeing. In fact, 88% Indians said pets help reduce anxiety or overthinking, offering presence without pressure and 69% said their pet has improved their social life.