Are you looking for happiness? Comes with pets

A recently published study shows that cats, dogs and other animals make us smile and feel more satisfied

Now, in mid-2022, in the context of economic, political and environmental problems affecting much of the world, we have reasons to smile! It’s no secret that people love their pets, but are pet owners really happier than the average person (as I already mentioned in the sentences at the beginning of this article)? Thanks to all the photos pet owners are taking of their furry friends and posting them online, a new study has found that the answer is a big, hearty YES!

In a global analysis using artificial intelligence, researchers from Petplan (UK) found that pet owners around the world are significantly happier than the neighbors those who do not own pets. In fact, the results of this recently publicized study showed that owning pets increases overall happiness by more than 22%, internationally.

Our smile in the photos says it all!
A team from the British company (which specializes in the care and study of pets of all kinds) used Microsoft Azure’s AI facial recognition tool to examine more than 250,000 photos (including selfies) of pet owners on social networks and Google Images during this study. This allowed them to quantify how happy having a companion pet makes people, regardless of what country they are in.

Specifically, the researchers looked at photos of dog, cat and rabbit owners across OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. The people who worked on this particular project found each photo by searching for specific hashtags related to the animal’s name, selfie, or other relevant terms. Microsoft Azure’s Face API tool then detected emotion levels in clear photos of human faces, assigning a score to each emotion on a scale of 0 to 100.

From that huge pool of visual data, the program examined 9,000 images, generating scores for detectable emotions ranging from happiness to fear and disgust. Compared to the average happiness score of 36.8%, the study finds that the average happiness score among pet owners is 59.3%. Therefore there is both a point of reference and a term of comparison!

Here are the countries that have done it DISPLAYED the happiest people in whose family there is also a pet:
– New Zealand
– Brazil
– Hungary
– If it is
– Australia
– South Africa
– Canada
– Pakistan
-UAE
– Great Britain
– Italy
– Belgium
– The Czech Republic
– YOUR
-Singapore
– Finland
– Sweden
– France
-Germany
– Ireland

It’s hard not to smile in countries like Belgium and New Zealand!
Although owning a pet appears to bring more happiness to people regardless of where they live, the study finds that the happiest pet owners in the world live in New Zealand. The AI ​​tool found that pet owners have an average happiness score of 88.4. Pet owners in Brazil (83.8) and Hungary (81.6) round out the top three. The United States made the list, but came in 14th, with pet owners having an average happiness score of 70.7.

In terms of how much a furry friend increases a person’s happiness compared to the average person, nowhere does owning a pet lift our spirits more than in Belgium. The average pet owner is 172.8% happier than the average person! Pets make people 158% happier in Canada and more than 150% happier in China. Again, the United States ranks 14th, but caring for a pet nearly doubles someone’s happiness, putting it 87.3% above average.

Brazil is the country with the happiest dog owners (average score 94.2), New Zealanders get the biggest boost from cats (89.4) and the Netherlands is the happiest to have rabbits (78.7).

Overall, rabbit owners post the most positive posts on social media about their four-legged companions (71.4%), followed by dog ​​owners (67.9%) and cat owners (64.7%).

Read the article we are talking about the most common misconceptions about pets!

What do pets bring into our lives?
Have you wondered how our existence changes, as human beings, when we welcome these wonderful beings into our homes? Petplan researchers say that pet ownership contributes significantly to improving human well-being. The British team said pet owners often become fitter and healthier, particularly dog ​​owners who take their pets for regular walks. This also allows them to meet new people and also have the company of their furry friend.

The team adds that pet owners may also notice that their mental health improves, their daily routine becomes more organized, and they sometimes even report taking up new… hobbies.

Of course, choosing a pet and integrating it into your home is a serious commitment. Researchers say anyone considering bringing home a pet should consider the time, money and attention they will have to devote to their new friend.

But what are the responsibilities of a pet owner today?

If you are caring for a pet (or preparing to do so) it is essential to look introspectively to determine whether you are providing the best quality of care for your furry, scaly or… feathery friend.

You have a responsibility to care for your pet, but also a privilege, which should be treated as such:

1. Movement and play

Some pets will need more exercise than others. Dogs often need a lot of time outdoors, from walks to playing in the park, to burn off excess energy. For cats it means chasing and hitting specific toys.

Find toys, playsets, sisal and accessories for cats in the store!

2. Visits to the vet

This is essential for keeping your dog or cat healthy. A checkup also offers the opportunity to identify any medical problems before they become significant problems. A veterinarian will carefully examine your pet to make sure he is feeling his best.

For the correct deworming of dogs and cats, this material can be really useful to you: find out how these aspects also influence the health of your children or your family!

3. Socialization

Socialization is essential for a happy and healthy furry friend. Many animals are used to living in packs. Meeting and getting to know others can boost your pet’s confidence and help alleviate or even eliminate any nervous or anxious tendencies.

4. The right food

A correct and healthy diet is essential to offer your pet the best level of care. Dozens of factors can dramatically affect the type of food your pet should eat: age, weight, allergies and activity level. If you’re not sure what type of food is best, be sure to check with our team Petmax.ro – see offers on dry dog ​​food here:

5. Safety

Being a responsible parent also means guaranteeing the best level of safety for your friend. This means taking extra precautions inside and outside your home, as well as implementing additional safety measures in case your pet escapes from home.

6. Dental health

Brush your furry friend’s teeth regularly to keep him healthy. Practicing good dental hygiene habits at home is just as important! Cats and dogs should brush their teeth regularly with a pet-safe toothpaste. It may not be pleasant for you or your pet, but it is necessary to prevent dental disease. Order the most popular oral hygiene solutions for cats here!

7. Education and training

This builds trust and mutual respect – a pleasant bonding experience for both you and your beloved friend. Dogs, especially puppies, thrive on learning new tricks.

8. Call for your pet

Being a responsible pet owner also means being respectful of those around you. Every time your pet goes out and leaves small Giftsduring a walk or in the garden, be sure to clean them up promptly. Not only are they unpleasant to look at or, worse, to step on, but they also carry germs that could harm other people and animals around you.

9. Sterilization or neutering

Unfortunately there are more animals in shelters than in homes, places where they could be accepted and loved. Spaying your pet can help reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters or being euthanized, and has many health benefits that can also help dogs and cats live happy, healthy lives!

10. Give them lots of love

When you bring a pet into your home, you get an additional family member. These animals have infinite and unwavering love to give you while asking little in return. It is our responsibility to make sure we honor them and give them love every day by caring for them, providing them with lots of treats, toys and attention! Also find out about the role of toileting in dogs or cats, right here.

Here are other activity ideas for your four-legged friend on the blog!

While these are just a few of the responsibilities of a pet owner, the list goes on and on! Having a pet is a big commitment, but it’s always worth it. We know these things from personal experience: here at Petmax we have made pet care our career!