Michigan State University Study Shows Pets Did Not Make People Happier During Pandemic

By DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS Detroit

November 8, 2023

EAST LANSING, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - It has been over three years since people started isolating in their homes due to the pandemic. And during that, many are believed to rely on their pets to get through tough times.

A new study from Michigan State University found that despite having your pets around to get through the pandemic, "pet ownership was not reliably associated with well-being."

"People say that pets make them happy, but when we actually measure happiness, that doesn't appear to be the case," said William Chopik, an associate professor in MSU's Department of Psychology and co-author of the study. "People see friends as lonely or wanting companionship, and they recommend getting a pet. But it's unlikely that it'll be as transformative as people think."

Click here for the full story via CBS Detroit

CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.