Why Dachshunds Are Part of My Mental Health Plan

…but maybe they shouldn’t be part of yours

You may have already noticed that, as well as being a Clinical Psychologist, I’m also a dachshund mum.

I share my home (and, let’s be honest, my bed and my heart) with two miniature dachshunds, Nala and Bonnie. They are complete sass queens – dramatic sighs, selective hearing, loud opinions about the postie – and I absolutely adore them. On bad days, they have been a quiet source of comfort: the weight of a warm little body on my lap, the way they follow me from room to room, or the ridiculous zoomies that have made me laugh when nothing else could touch my mood.

Many of us feel that our pets help our mental health. But what does the research actually say?

The Research Was Surprising…

There have been several systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses in recent years asking this same question (PMID: 29402247; 35816194; 41194144; 34941859). These papers represent some of the highest quality evidence we have, as they examine the body of research in a methodological (and theoretically unbiased) way.

Their findings were inconsistent.

In other words, the evidence suggests that pets can be helpful for some people, in some contexts, but not universally, and not all the time.

Pets and the Nervous System (Some Evidence)

One of the more consistent findings is that contact with animals (not necessarily ownership) can help regulate the nervous system. Some studies show animal interaction reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases oxytocin (the bonding hormone; PMID: 22866043). Pets may act as co-regulators for some people. When we pat a dog or make eye contact, the body sometimes shifts toward calmer states. This helps explain why pets can feel soothing without saying a word: they communicate safety at a nervous system level.

Pets don’t remove stressors, but experimental research has found that animals can buffer their impact (PMID: 12271108). This aligns with my own experience of how comforting my dachshunds are on bad days, and the lived experience for many other pet owners (PMID: 36899798), though results vary.

Companionship Without Conditions (Mixed Results)

In my experience, one of the unique benefits of pets is that they offer companionship without the complexity of human social dynamics. They don’t need us to explain ourselves. They don’t judge us (although Nala does sometimes give me the side-eye). They don’t ask us to be “on.”

However, the science on this is mixed. A systematic review found that some pet owners experience reduced loneliness, with inconsistent results overall (PMID: 35816194). After speaking with loneliness expert, Dr Anna Badcock, she highlighted that it may depend on which type of loneliness you have. For example, if you are feeling excluded from the broader community, getting a pet isn’t going to fix that. However, if you are feeling lonely due to a lack of an intimate relationship, a pet companion may be more helpful. This is still a question to be thoroughly asked in the research.

Routine and Movement (Stronger Evidence)

Dog ownership consistently increases physical activity and routine (PMID: 37325330). Caring for pets can provide structure and purpose when motivation is low—a finding with clearer support.

The Honest Truth About Pets and Mental Health

Regarding mental health, the science is also messy. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses repeatedly show inconsistent findings (PMID: 34941859; 41194144). This suggests that pets help some people sometimes, but not universally. Benefits exist, but not always. Pets can add stress too: financial strain, caregiving demands, grief. However, for people who have chronic mental health issues, a 2018 systematic review found that pets tend to be beneficial (PMID: 29402247).

Some Groups May Benefit Most (Promising Findings)

In my clinical experience, I have found that certain groups, such as people with trauma histories and neurodiverse individuals, may benefit more from pets. Some research supports this. For example, companion animals tend to reduce PTSD and other mental health symptoms in people recovering from trauma, when human trust is difficult (PMID: 26300817). For people with autism, Professor Gray Atherton (PhD) of the University of Plymouth, an expert in this field, has found that animals can provide benefits. These include sensory benefits, companionship without conforming, mental health benefits, and overall improved life satisfaction.

Nala and Bonnie Definitely Help Me

In sum, the evidence suggests that pets can be helpful for some people, in some contexts — but not universally, and not all the time.

To me, this isn’t a failure of the research. It’s a reminder of something we already know in mental health: there is no one-size-fits-all intervention. Nervous systems differ. Life circumstances differ. What regulates one person may overwhelm another. This is precisely why mental health care needs to be individualised, guided by evidence, but grounded in lived experience.

For me, despite the messy science, Nala and Bonnie are non-negotiable in my mental health plan. Their warmth, zoomies, and dramatic couch launches interrupt rumination and bring me back to the present. They enforce routine, especially when motivation is low. They offer comfort without complex social demands. So yes, Nala and Bonnie are dramatic, demanding, and deeply opinionated. But they’re also one of the most consistent sources of comfort and joy in my life.

The science is mixed. My experience is not.

This is another example of why healthcare should be individualised—we’re all a little different.