Being single is ruff.
But if you’re one of the many single Americans who own a pet, you’re in luck — science says the road to happiness is paved in paw prints.
Researchers analyzed the data of 2,500 British households and found that the psychological benefits of having a furry companion are on par with those of a human one.
A new study shows having a pet provides a massive boost in life satisfaction — and reveals the personality traits of dog and cat owners. Getty Images
And if you’re still chasing the American dream — you might want to consider chasing your dog around the park instead, as the same study found that the joys of owning a pet are equivalent to receiving an extra $90,000 a year.
Previous research has shown that having pets yields plenty of health benefits.
Studies suggest that spending time with a dog can relieve stress, keep you active and help you live longer.
Meanwhile, petting a cat has been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate — which might be why cat owners have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
But this new research, published in the journal Social Indicators Research, puts a quantifiable number on this unconditional love — suggesting pet ownership increases life satisfaction by three to four points on a scale of one to seven.
The study — led by Dr. Adelina Gschwandtner, an economics professor at the University of Kent in the UK — also sheds some light on the personality traits of pet owners, noting that “while cat carers appear to be more open, dog carers appear to be more extroverted, agreeable and less neurotic.”
Studies suggest that spending time with a dog can relieve stress, keep you active and help you live longer. Getty Images
However, the authors pointed out that “overall, pet carers in general appear to be more open, conscientious and extroverted than non-pet carers.”
It’s no small wonder then that some people say they love their furry companions more than their siblings, partners or even their mom.
“The present paper answers the question whether overall pets are good for us with a resounding ‘Yes’,” the authors wrote, noting that they hope these results help inform public policy and highlight the importance of pets.
After all, you can’t buy happiness — but you can buy a golden retriever, which is basically the same thing.
