Perceived stress levels of pet and non-pet owners in Cebu, Philippines

Objectives: Owning pets has been shown to reduce stress and improve the well-being of their owners in other countries. The present study aimed to document the perceived stress levels among pet and non-pet owners in the Philippines. In this country, the literature about this is still limited. Materials and Methods: Using a descriptive-analytical design, 417 respondents (286 pet owners and 131 non-pet owners) were asked about their stress status, personal stressors, coping mechanisms (including exercise or social support), impacts of physical activity levels, well-being, support systems, and the effect of having a pet on stress. Results: Pet ownership was more prevalent among females and younger individuals, particularly those aged 18-25. A statistically significant association was observed between pet ownership and being single (p = 0.019). However, this does not necessarily imply that single people were more likely to have pets for companionship, as the majority of respondents were single. The study also revealed that pet owners experience lower stress than non-pet owners. Significant differences were observed in coping mechanisms (p < 0.01), the impact of pet ownership on stress (p < 0.01), and overall stress levels (p < 0.01), highlighting the vital role pets play in emotional support and stress management. Pet ownership was also significantly linked to physical activity levels (p = 0.043) and personal stressors (p = 0.003). Despite these benefits, some pet owners reported challenges, including financial and time constraints. Conclusions: The findings indicate that while owning a pet comes with specific responsibilities, it is a valuable way to cope with stress and supports mental health and well-being.