The Joy Report: How much happiness does your pet bring you?

Do you feel as though the joy your four-legged bestie brings you is unparalleled? You’re not alone – studies have shown that pet owners tend to report higher levels of happiness compared to those without pets. In particular, Google searches for ‘dogs joy’ have seen a 21% increase in the past 12 months.

Over the years, we’ve begun to consider our pets our family members. As owners, our fur babies mean the world to us and there's nothing better than the unconditional love you get from your pet. But did you know that there are also tangible mental and physical health benefits to pet ownership?

People who own pets report higher happiness levels, lower loneliness levels and even a fewer number of trips to the doctor (more on that later).

The benefits of owning a pet are clear. So how do those lucky enough to have an animal in their life feel that pet ownership fares against other common sources of joy?

Hanging out with pets vs. humans

Let’s face it – human relationships can be complicated. Pet relationships, on the other hand? As long as you keep a steady supply of treats and cuddles coming, the love and companionship is unconditional.

In fact, The Joy Report– a 2025 study by Barking Heads on how much joy pet ownership brings people – shows that many people find their pet brings them more joy than several types of human relationships, such as:

34% of pet owners say their pet brings them more joy than spending time with their partner
More than HALF of pet owners surveyed get more joy from owning a pet than having a night out with friends
A whopping 42% of Brits would dump their partner if their pet didn’t approve – and that number soars to 54% among those in the 25-34 age bracket
Bird owners would prefer to hear tweeting than to Tweet, with nearly 20% of them claiming they’d sooner give up social media apps than their beaked bestie
Dog owners would rather give up Netflix, with 19% of them claiming they would prefer to stop binge-watching series on the popular streaming service rather than give up their pooch

More than a meal: Does high quality food contribute to your pet’s overall happiness?

Pet ownership brings us joy in numerous ways. So what are some ways we can ensure we’re making our pets just as happy as they make us?

There are several studies that point to the benefits of investing in high-quality pet food for your furry friends. In fact, FEDIAF – the European Pet Food Industry Federation – states that pre-prepared pet foods which meet its rigorous standards ‘provide the correct amount, balance and availability of nutrients to sustain physical and mental health and activity’ in animals.

There’s no ‘right’ way to feed your pet, but if its nutritional needs are being met, you can expect to have a much more energetic, playful, healthy and shiny-coated fur baby on your hands.

On the other hand, pets not getting the nutrients they need through their food can suffer negative consequences. The wrong diet can lead to all sorts of health problems – including weight loss, a weakened immune system, skin or coat issues, and a clear lack of energy.

Happily, it seems that many pet owners are aware of the ramifications of feeding correctly or incorrectly, with data from The Joy Report showing that:

54% of respondents believe that feeding their pet high quality food contributes to their overall happiness and wellbeing – and that number rises to 65% in dog owners
When choosing food that contributes to their pet’s happiness, nearly 35% of owners agree that nutritional value is the most important factor
Across all ages, genders and regions, pet owners aren’t willing to scrimp when it comes to keeping their pets’ tummies happy – with respondents across all demographics ranking price one of the least important considerations when buying food

Are holidays happier with pets in tow?

With recent data showing that 53% of travelers now take their pets on holiday with them, it’s not uncommon to spot a little pair of paws on trains, planes and boats. The Joy Report reflects this rising trend for pet holidays, with those surveyed stating:

47% of dog owners would sacrifice a trip abroad with friends or a partner to book a staycation with their pooch instead
35% of Londoners would rather book a staycation with their pet than a holiday abroad
Over 50% of Gen Z pet owners say their pet brings them more joy than going on holiday

Luckily, there are plenty of pet-friendly hotels around the world – check out our guide to travelling with pets for more information on everything from dog passports to insurance.

Do pets have a positive impact on your physical and mental wellbeing?

Many studies have been carried out on the impact of pets on our overall wellbeing. Pawrents are less likely to suffer from depression and high blood pressure, and playing with animals is proven to increase both serotonin and dopamine levels. Dogs in particular seem to be the key to stress relief, with ‘dogs help with stress’ seeing a 52% increase in Google searches in the last 12 months and ‘dogs happiness’ has over 6,600 searches per month. Not only that – pet owners are also said to have lower cholesterol levels (which can help prevent heart disease) and people with animals over the age of 65 make 30% fewer visits to the doctors than those without pets.

The scientifically proven health benefits to pet ownership are reflected in the data gleaned from The Joy Report, with thousands of pet owners revealing that they are healthier, feel a strong connection between their dog’s happiness and their own – and even view their pet’s happiness as more important than things like their social or work lives.

42% of people are less stressed and 57% report being happier since having a pet
Brits’ social lives place fourth behind their own happiness, their partner’s happiness and their pet’s happiness in terms of what they consider most important
Both Gen Z and Millennials place their pet’s happiness above their work
Happy Dog, Happy Life: Over 63% of owners describe the connection between their dog’s health and their own happiness as ‘strong’
32% of Gen Zers are more active since having a pet

If you’re a dog owner, you’re also much more likely to be active due to all the walks your fur baby will demand you go on. Dog owners generally squeeze in around 200 extra minutes of walking per week and are four times more likely to meet recommended physical activity guidelines. In fact, the Joy Report showed that 48% of dog owners get 3-5 more hours of exercise a week because of their furry family members. Spending more time outside not only increases your Vitamin D levels, lots of fresh air also has a positive effect on your focus, mental clarity and general fitness.

Top tips to bring you and your pet joy

Adem Fehmi is Barking Heads’ resident dog behavioural expert. He’s spent more than 15 years working with dog owners in order to help them to fully understand their doggy best friends and, when necessary, overcome any training or behavioural issues they might be experiencing.

Adem aims to help as many humans as possible tap into the joy that dog ownership can bring – so we had to get his view and top tips on things you can do with your pet that bring them joy, and that also bring you joy too!

Tip 1: Food can be fun!

Use food to have fun with your dog – this could be scatter feeding in the garden, playing hide and seek games, or even giving your dog a food dispensing toy such as a lick mat. By allowing your dog to express natural behaviours, these types of activities can decrease the potential of behaviour issues, help your dog to feel calmer, and also be a great bonding experience. Happiness improved all round!

Tip 2: Get outdoors

Gardening, walking and exploring the countryside can be great fun for all involved! Exercise, sunlight, and fresh air, not to mention being in nature, can have a positive effect on both our wellbeing and that of our dog. Just be careful not to disturb wildlife when out and about. Why not also take the time to practice your recall and loose lead walking when exploring. You could use Barking Heads tasty food as a positive reinforcer!

Tip 3: Enrol in a class

Obedience training, agility, ring craft, scent training or even trick training are just a few examples of the wonderful classes now on offer for you and your dog. These types of classes can be fun, can enrich your dog’s day, improve their focus, your knowledge and understanding of your dog, and can also be a great social opportunity for both of you. You might just find that you become part of a community of like-minded individuals and make new friends!

Tip 4: Visit dog friendly venues and events together

Whether local or further afield (hello dog friendly holidays!) spending time out and about with your dog can be great fun all round. Just make sure to pack your dog’s essentials as well as your own – a comfy portable bed or travel mat, water and collapsible water bowl, and a long lasting chew or food dispensing toy can all help your dog to feel more settled and relaxed when at venues such as cafes and pubs. Caveat – if your dog is of a nervous temperament, and doesn’t enjoy these types of outings, then this one might not be best for you and you might want to explore more secluded spots or those closer to home whilst you work on building up your dog’s confidence.

Tip 5: Grooming time

Whilst clearly beneficial to you dog, this activity can be a great bonding experience and can also be relaxing for us as owners, helping to boost those happy hormones! Some dogs (and people!) are more tactile than others but my top tips for this are to choose a time of day where you both feel settled, start slowly and lightly, and keep things positive - tasty treats or a lick mat with some yummy Barking Heads wet food can help with this! Short sessions can be best at first, building these up over time as you become sure your dog enjoys the experience.

In conclusion

So: the science shows that pet ownership not only makes you happy and healthy, but can also bring you just as much joy – if not more – than a whole host of other things in your life. What’s more, prioritising your pet’s happiness through fuelling them and caring for them correctly creates a compounding effect, with the love they feel creating a closer bond between you and making you even more contended in turn.

If you’re thinking of making 2025 your most joyful year yet by getting a pet of your own, check out our ultimate new puppy checklist to make sure you’re prepared!

Methodology

The survey research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2500 Nationally Representative Consumers. The data was collected between 24.03.2025-27.03.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.