The latest results from the APA’s Healthy Minds Monthly Poll suggest that pets are beneficial for owners’ mental health. In a national poll of 2,200 American adults, more than half of all pet owners reported that their pets positively impact their mental health, including 87% of dog owners and 86% of cat owners. Among respondents who indicated a positive impact, over two thirds identified specific benefits such as reduced stress and anxiety (69%), unconditional love and support (69%), and companionship (69%). Despite associated worries of pet ownership, the findings suggest that having a pet is a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing. To learn more, see the poll results from the APA.