2 Ways That Pet Ownership Can Make You A Better Friend

There's a lot more that you can learn from your pets than what you may think. Here's how they teach us the value of empathy and tenderness.

By Scott Travers, Ph.D. | July 03, 2024

Pets can be incredible sources of support and companionship. They can also teach us a thing or two about learning to understand and treat others better, inspiring empathy in surprising ways.

Be it due to learning to care for another being or becoming more attuned to their pet's needs and emotions over time, pet owners seem to absorb their learnings from these special bonds and utilize them to strengthen interpersonal human relationships.

Here are two reasons why pet-ownership can enhance empathy and social relationships, according to research.

1. Pets Teach Us How To Treat Others

A study published this month in Frontiers In Psychology found that a strong attachment with our pets can enhance our empathy for animals, which in turn is associated with more prosocial behavior towards other humans. Prosocial behavior encompasses voluntary actions that are meant to benefit and support others.

Researchers suggest that this is because pets are considered "attachment figures," which, based on attachment theory, refer to specific individuals humans seek to form close emotional bonds with, who provide a sense of security and comfort, particularly in times of stress or uncertainty.

Pets seem to mirror the role that primary attachment figures—such as childhood caregivers—play in human relationships by providing a template for their owner's human relationships. Positive attachment figures can provide emotional support, model trust and security and reduce stress.

With such attachments, individuals learn to regulate their own emotions, navigate the emotional landscapes of others, experience a consistent and reliable bond and learn to form healthy relationships with others. As we learn to depend on our pets and meet their needs reliably, we reinforce these behaviors in ourselves.

"Individuals often regard their pets as attachment figures deserving of care, influencing them to empathize with their pets' well-being during stressful circumstances. The influence of animal empathy on prosocial attitudes toward humans may arise from individuals incorporating empathetic processes learned from animals into their interactions with humans, considering pets as representatives of others in attachment relationships," the researchers explain.

A 2018 study found that pet ownership can also boost social functioning, enhancing social interactions and trust in one's neighbors. Pets can act as social catalysts, encouraging their owners to engage with others and practice social skills.

For instance, walking a dog in a public space can spark conversation, connection and potentially friendship with onlookers. This can provide a stronger foundation for learning more about others and building one's capacity for empathy in human relationships.

2. Pet Owners Are Sensitive To Emotional Cues

A 2019 study found that pet owners are more sensitive to an animal's distress vocalizations—a cat's sad "meow" or a dog's upset whimper—than non-pet owners. Their ability to recognize negative emotions and the emotional content of these vocalizations could highlight a deeper empathic gift gained with pet ownership experience.

Researchers also found that those who tend to have a more "secure attachment style" are also more sensitive to distressed cat sounds. Securely attached individuals tend to be able to trust others and establish safety in relationships, feeling confident that attachment figures will be available, responsive and supportive when needed, rather than feeling insecure that they will be abandoned or rejected and pushing others away.

Researchers draw parallels with similar studies with human infants that found that securely attached adults were more likely to correctly identify an infant's emotions through their distress signals. This suggests that such individuals are generally more emotionally attuned and responsive to others, traits that are beneficial in both human and animal relationships.

Interestingly, research shows that pets can also enhance the attachment security we experience, showing us how to build healthier relationships with others. Their consistent and non-judgmental presence can reinforce our understanding of what a secure attachment feels like, making it easier to replicate this dynamic in our human relationships.

The bond between pets and their owners transcends simple companionship, offering valuable lessons in love, empathy and emotional attunement. As we learn to care for and empathize with our pets, we inadvertently strengthen our ability to form healthier, more secure and more compassionate human connections.

Curious about how much you benefit from being connected to your pet? Take this test to find out: Pet Owner Connectedness Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.