A new study reveals an unexpected trade-off between dogs and cats when it comes to mental health benefits.
Researchers found that both dogs and cats produce short-term mood improvements in their owners. However, cats appear to elevate stress hormones in ways that dogs do not, according to the research published in The Conversation.
The study measured physiological responses in people who interacted with both animals. While the emotional lift from petting either animal was real and measurable, the hormonal data showed a different pattern. Cats triggered increases in stress markers that persisted even as owners reported feeling happier in the moment.
This disconnect between reported mood and biological stress response raises questions about how we measure the mental health benefits of pet ownership. The research suggests that the warming feeling people get from interacting with cats may mask underlying physiological stress, making the overall health benefit less clear than previously assumed.
The findings complicate the common narrative that all pet interactions are equally beneficial for mental wellbeing. For people managing anxiety or stress-related conditions, the distinction matters. Those already struggling with elevated cortisol levels might see greater overall benefit from dog ownership, which appears to activate calming physiological responses without the offsetting stress hormone surge.
Pet ownership remains popular for mental health support, with countless studies documenting benefits across age groups. This research suggests owners should pay attention not just to how they feel emotionally, but to their physiological markers as well. Some people may find that cat ownership works perfectly for them despite the stress hormone response, while others might benefit more from dog companionship.
The study contributes to growing evidence that animal-assisted interventions are not one-size-fits-all. Individual differences in how people respond to different animals matter for therapeutic applications.