By Loïc Moutault, Global President, Mars Petcare
This is a photo of my first dog, Pupuce, taken in the backyard of my childhood home in rural France. My parents gave in to my brothers’ and my relentless pleas for a dog, with the hope that she would help tame the wild pack of boys they were attempting to raise. And it worked. That little dachshund immediately became one of the family and the bond we shared was unbreakable.
Decades later, many things in my life have changed, but there’s a feeling I still share with that little boy - the connection with my beautiful boxer, Coco, is just as strong as the one I shared with Pupuce. Taking Coco for a walk can immediately melt away the stress of a difficult day. That’s the power of the human-animal bond and I’m sure it is something many pet owners can attest to.
For decades, @Mars(Opens a new window) and @Waltham Petcare Science Institute(Opens a new window) have been advancing research to explore what pet owners feel: pets enrich our lives in countless ways. From a study examining how pet ownership impacts the physical and cognitive health of older adults(Opens a new window), to evidence of the stress-reducing benefits of the child-dog bond(Opens a new window) – there’s a growing body of research indicating pets do play a role in human wellbeing and pets also benefit from these relationships. But there is still so much more to be discovered.
That’s why I’m incredibly excited about our latest undertaking, the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program, led by our team at Waltham Petcare Science Institute in collaboration with leading universities and organizations. It represents a major next step in deepening our understanding of the science behind the human-animal bond. It is my hope that it will allow us to understand the role of pets in mental health and wellness space.
Modern pet ownership and mental health awareness
So, why does this matter now? Firstly, our relationship with pets is changing. Just 30 years ago, most people made their dogs sleep outside – now, they not only share our homes, they also they also feature in many aspects of our lives. More people are becoming first-time pet owners(Opens a new window) and the demographics of those who own pets is also changing. In the United States, for example, 14% of pet parents are now Gen Z.
Second of all, we’re all becoming more cognizant of the central role mental health plays in our quality of life. 45% of people across 31 countries identify mental health as their primary health concern. At the same time, global anxiety and stress levels are rising – impacting over 301 million people worldwide(Opens a new window). While there are myriad reasons we’re seeing this trend (too many to delve into here) social isolation is most certainly a contributing factor. In fact, the World Health Organization(Opens a new window) even declared that loneliness is a global public health concern.
This is an opportune moment for us to examine the impact our mutual relationship with pets can have on stress, anxiety, loneliness and overall mental wellbeing. That’s exactly what PAWS aims to do.
The next step in human-animal interaction research
PAWS is significant for two key reasons: first, the breadth and depth of the research. This is set to become the world’s largest multi-year research program of its kind. We’re kicking things off with a study pipeline touching 35,000+ people in more than 20 countries – with the view of expanding this further over time. Additionally, the study will attempt to fill gaps in human-animal interaction research, offering new insights.
Crucially, the research will benefit people and pets alike. We’ve always understood people and pets are happier and healthier when we’re together. At Mars we advocate for the essential role companion animals play in people’s lives. We do this in many different ways across the world, from helping to end pet homelessness(Opens a new window), to tackling the barriers to enjoying and benefiting from pet ownership.
I will never forget Pupuce and the huge impact she had on me growing up. The unique bond we share with our pets is undeniable, yet we still have so much to learn. Through PAWS, we’re not just deepening our understanding – we’re shaping a future where pets are recognized and celebrated for all the amazing contributions they make.
