Why pets are the best medicine for mind and body

I lost my best friend and first child in 2019 – he had four legs, would not sleep without me, had travelled with me to three different countries and ten different cities, and brought me endless happiness and the most unconditional love I had ever experienced.

In 2020, when lockdown happened, not only was it a scary time – but I was also learning to be at home 24/7 with two kids to home-school, all while coping with a massive void in the house and in my heart.While Coco can never be replaced, it’s no surprise that by the end of 2020 we had welcomed a third pup into our home. And I’m just one of many. During the lockdown, approximately 60% of Indians reported feeling inspired to bring a pet into their home, while online searches for pet adoption spiked by up to 250% compared to the previous year.

This wasn’t just an Indian phenomenon – it was a global trend.

Unfortunately, a statistic far more unique to India than the global stage is the rate of pet abandonment. Despite the initial enthusiasm, about 50% of Indian pet parents admitted to giving up a pet during or after the pandemic, compared to a global average of 28%. Much of this was due to misinformation about virus transmission through pets, and the challenges of caring for high-maintenance exotic or pedigree pets like Persians.

Pet adoption should never be an impulse decision – but when chosen with commitment, it can bring incredible joy to a household, along with numerous health benefits that go far beyond unconditional love.

• Stress relief, reduced anxiety and depression: Pets – especially dogs and cats – can lower stress levels and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety by offering emotional support and companionship that feels safe to the nervous system.• Companionship and purpose: They are non-judgmental companions who can fill emotional voids and give pet parents a strong sense of purpose.• Lowered blood pressure and better heart health: Pet parents tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, with reduced cardiovascular risk.• Increased physical activity: Pets, particularly dogs, encourage walks and playtime, boosting fitness and supporting cardiovascular wellness.• Emotional and academic growth for kids: Pets help children develop empathy, improve social skills, reduce behavioural issues, and strengthen academic engagement.• Therapeutic impact: Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has become popular worldwide, as pets can lower blood pressure and cortisol (our stress hormone), while increasing mood-enhancing hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. AAT supports recovery in dementia, PTSD, brain injuries, ADHD, autism, and helps enhance cognitive function, mood, social behaviours, and motor skills.• Better daily habits and mindfulness: A global survey of Indian pet owners found that 92% reduced screen time, 93% took regular work breaks, 92% felt more relaxed when talking to their pets, 88% felt their pets reduced overthinking, and 76% experienced greater mindfulness and presence.• Boosting immune antibodies: A study found that petting a dog for just 18 minutes a day can lead to an increase in salivary immunoglobulin A – an antibody that plays a key role in protecting us from infections.• Pets as microbial allies: Research shows that childhood exposure to pets introduces a richer microbial environment that promotes immune regulation and resilience, and that those who grow up with pets display healthier immune responses later in life, thanks to better regulation of inflammation.

There’s no shortage of reasons to have a pet in your home and witness how they enhance our health – mentally, physically, socially, and even immunologically. They can calm an anxious heart, get us moving when we’d rather not, teach children empathy, and help the elderly stay engaged and connected. My children are growing up in a home filled with unconditional love, muddy paw prints, and happy chaos – and I know it’s shaping them in ways that will last a lifetime.Because at the end of the day, a pet isn’t just part of the home – they become the heart of it.By Tanya Khubchandani, MD & Founder – Elixir Wellness