Pet ownership and risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pet ownership is often believed to confer psychological benefits, such as reducing loneliness and providing emotional support. However, evidence on its relationship with depression is mixed, and no clear consensus currently exists. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between pet ownership and the risk of depression.

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were performed following PRISMA guidelines. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for observational studies assessing the impact of pet ownership on depression. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted data, and study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects models were used to compute pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using STATA-17.

A total of 21 studies involving 159,322 participants were included. Overall, pet ownership was not associated with a significant change in depression risk compared to non-ownership (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.995-1.07). However, sensitivity analyses by pet type revealed that cat ownership was associated with a modestly increased risk of depression (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09), whereas dog ownership showed no significant association (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.789-1.10).

This study reveals a complex relationship between pet ownership and depression. Cat ownership is linked to a higher risk, while dog ownership shows mixed results. Overall, pet ownership isn't significantly associated with depression, highlighting the need for further research into its psychosocial dynamics and mental health implications.