Cuddling with Cats and Puppies Boosts Self-Esteem, Study

A new study is giving people even more reasons to have a pet. According to pet expert, Mia Cobb, cuddling with your feline friends and playing with puppies can reduce stress levels and boost self-esteem.

"Research has shown they can give us social support, reduce stress and make us laugh more," Cobb told Daily Mail Australia (via Daily Mail UK). "They can do really good things for our well-being, improve our self-esteem and make us more physically active. There's also the added benefit of making us more connected."

Cobb, who is finishing her PhD at Monash University, explained that simply petting a cat or a dog releases oxytocin, which is known as the happy hormone. Oxytocin also helps relieve stress and reduce heart rate.

Cobb cited another study that found that when people who felt socially distant from others wrote about their pets, they ended up feeling better.

"This suggests the relationship with your pet is just as good as maintaining the social support of a best friend or family member," Cobb said.

Cobb added that of course people must find a good match. Petting any cat or dog will not immediately lead to these mental health benefits. People must feel a connection with the animal first.

"Obviously if someone hates cats they're not going to have that relationship. You need to find the right animal to suit your particular lifestyle," she said.

High stress levels have been tied to poorer physical health. So finding any way to reduce these levels can be beneficial.