Associations Between Pet Type (Co-Walkable, Indoor-Only, and Ornamental Pets) and Well-Being: Findings from a Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Kaori Endo (), Anri Mutoh, Kazuya Ogawa and Miho Satoh
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Kaori Endo: Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Anri Mutoh: Data Science Institute, Rissho University, Tokyo 141-8602, Japan
Kazuya Ogawa: Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Miho Satoh: Department of Fundamental Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: The associations of pet ownership and well-being have been widely discussed, but previous studies have shown inconsistent results, often due to their limited sample size and diversity. We analyzed data from a nationally representative survey conducted by the Cabinet Office of Japan in 2019 ( n = 10,293; age range = 15–89 years; 50.4% female). Ownership of co-walkable pets (e.g., dogs), indoor-only pets (e.g., cats), and ornamental pets (e.g., tropical fish) was examined as a predictor. Well-being was measured using eleven domains based on the OECD Better Life Index. Demographic covariates were included. Of the participants, 13.3% owned a co-walkable pet, 13.0% an indoor-only pet, and 6.8% an ornamental pet. The pet owners were more likely to live in a house they owned and have a larger floor area, higher income, and greater debt. The non-pet owners were more likely to live alone. In the unadjusted models, the ownership of co-walkable pets was associated with higher well-being in terms of housing and community. However, in the adjusted models, the ownership of co-walkable pets was associated with lower well-being in terms of income, jobs, environment, and, marginally, safety. No significant associations were found for indoor-only and ornamental pet ownership. In Japan, pet ownership requires both financial resources and adequate living space. It is also important to note that pet owners who go outside for walking their animals may also find that their environmental and economic circumstances are less satisfying.

Keywords: companion animals; dogs; cats; fishes; quality of life; well-being; cross-sectional studies; Japan; housing; social determinants of health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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