The Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

Most American households include a pet, and the benefits go well beyond companionship. Research has associated growing up with pets with a range of positive effects on children's social development, activity levels, and overall wellness.

Responsibility and Confidence

Caring for a pet gives kids real, ongoing responsibility — feeding, walking, and looking after another living thing. Studies on pet-owning families have found associations between pet care and higher self-confidence and stronger nurturing skills in children.

Getting Kids (and Everyone Else) Moving

Dog ownership in particular tends to come with more physical activity built in — daily walks add up, and several studies have found that kids in dog-owning households are meaningfully more likely to hit recommended activity levels than kids without a dog at home.

Broader Family Health

Pet ownership has also been linked in various studies to lower stress and reduced blood pressure, and some research suggests early exposure to pets may support immune development in children. As with most health research, results vary by study and shouldn't be taken as a guarantee for any individual family — but the overall pattern points toward real benefits.

Feeding Your Pet Well, Without the Cost of Premium Store-Bought Food

If you're already sold on the benefits of pet ownership, what you feed your pet matters too. High-quality pet food and treats can get expensive fast, which is part of why freeze-drying at home has become popular with pet owners — it lets you make your own healthy pet food and treats at a fraction of the cost of premium store-bought options, using ingredients you control.

More on Freeze-Drying for Pets

Homemade freeze-dried dog and cat food: benefits, safety, and storage covers what you need to know before making your own, and how to freeze-dry homemade pet food walks through a recipe and real cost comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does owning a pet actually improve a child's health?
Research has associated pet ownership with a range of benefits for children, including increased physical activity, higher self-confidence, and lower stress — though individual results vary and correlation isn't the same as guaranteed cause and effect.

Do dogs specifically help kids get more exercise?
Studies have found that children in dog-owning households tend to be more physically active than those without a dog, largely due to regular walks and outdoor play.

Is it cheaper to make your own pet food than buy premium brands?
Freeze-drying pet food and treats at home typically costs less than buying premium freeze-dried products at retail, since you're only paying for ingredients and the freeze-drying itself.