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Untapping the potential of pets

VETS already appreciate the huge contribution that companion animals make to our society and to our individual and collective wellbeing.

Pets offer a welcome escape after a stressful day at work, company when lonely and an opportunity to play and have fun, even as adults. That comfort spills over to those without pets – there is evidence to show that the whole community benefits when they can see dog walkers out and about, for example, because they share that sense of connectedness and feel safer.

The economic benefit pets offer is less well understood, but in a review recently published by the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), researchers calculated the economic benefit of companion animals (dogs and cats) to the UK. After deducting costs to the state – such as the £3 million spent by the NHS on treating dog bites each year – they calculated the net gain for the health service as £2.45 billion per year. And that was a conservative estimate.

This gain is found in savings drawn from a reduction in doctor visits due to improved health. Of course, this makes sense. We know that dog owners benefit from increased levels of activity from dog walking and an associated reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, for example, and they are less likely to be obese. Not only …