A new survey reveals that more than half of young Aussies have a furry friend to boost their mental health or serve as a support animal.

A poll of 1000 Australians from leading pet insurer Budget Direct found that more than 71% of millennials (28–37 year olds) said they got their pet for companionship, while close to 40% said they got their pet solely to help improve their mental health.

With millennials seen as being more open about mental health issues and normalising therapy, it’s no wonder they are the generation that depends on their pets the most.

Pets as family and emotional anchors

“Like many pet owners, it’s clear that millennials consider their pets as part of their family.  But the fact that almost 15% acquired their pets solely to be their support animal shows how emotionally important they are to this group. We share such a special bond with our dogs and cats and this really shows just how much we value companionship. Whether it’s social quality play time with the pet or taking them on walks in the park or beach, there’s no doubt about the happiness and contentment our furry friends provide.” 

Budget Direct Spokesperson

Cats vs dogs – who wins for mental health?

When delving deeper into the survey, nearly 30% of cat owners were more likely to acquire their pets for mental health reasons compared to 25% of dog owners.

Due to the cat’s longer lifespan, many cat owners spend quality one-on-one time with their pet over a longer period to build a stronger bond with their pet and improve their mental health.

But when it comes to pet ownership, more than 60% of Aussies own a dog, compared to 31% who own a cat.

Support animals and emotional companionship

Support animals offer emotional stability to those with conditions like anxiety or depression, and their companionship is key to their support, rather than having undergone specific training.

Any pet can improve quality of life and provide emotional support, regardless of where they come from – pedigree or rescue pets.

Shelter and gifted pets on the rise

Nearly 30% of respondents said they acquired their oldest or only pet from a shelter, with 19% of those surveyed being gifted their pet.

The mental health boost pets provide

Owning a pet does more than add joy to days; it offers a surprising range of mental health benefits.

Pets can help reduce stress, provide structure through daily routines and create more opportunities for social connection. They also encourage independence and self-esteem, give a sense of purpose and help ease worry and anxiety.

According to the RSPCA, pet ownership supports emotional, cognitive, behavioural, educational and social development in children. For older Australians, sharing life with a pet can improve overall wellbeing, ease symptoms of depression and anxiety and even help slow the progression of dementia.

Check out the Budget Direct Australian Pet Survey for the full breakdown of the study.

We’d love to hear your reasons for welcoming a furry friend into your family. Leave us a comment!