New Zealanders are spending hours every day with their pets, and many are picking up healthy habits as a result.
Results from the latest PD Insurance Human-Pet Bond Survey – released exclusively to the Herald and Newstalk ZB – show more than half of respondents spend more than two hours a day with their pet.
Many find that their pets help them reduce their screen time, and some find their pets help them eat more healthily, exercise more, reduce alcohol consumption and smoking, and visit the doctor more often.
Of the more than 1800 people who responded to the survey, 31% spend more than four hours a day with their pet, 30.9% spend two to four hours and 25.8% spend one to two hours daily with their pet.
A further 11.1% are spending 30 to 60 minutes a day with their pet, with only 1.1% dedicating less than half an hour.
One respondent said getting a pet had given their days more structure and purpose, spending more time outside and exercising more.
“I wake up earlier now because I know they’re waiting for breakfast and a bit of attention. That small routine has actually helped me sleep better and feel more grounded.
“I’ve also become more mindful. Watching how they react to things, how they rest, how they play, it’s taught me to slow down and notice the little things. It’s strange how something so small can shift your whole rhythm, but they really have.”
Another respondent said that since having dogs, they had become more active, more social and more emotionally regulated.
“They’ve helped me get outside more often, even when I didn’t feel like it. That fresh air and movement have made a real difference in my everyday routine.”
More than a third of all respondents reduced their screen time because of having a pet and many also exercised more.
Several said they have less time to binge-watch shows or “doom scroll” on social media, often finding that watching their pets was better than watching a TV show or animal video.
“Whether we’re out walking, playing fetch, or just having cuddles on the couch, she’s encouraged us to focus on real moments instead of screens,” one respondent wrote.
Several people said that when they were on their mobile or watching shows, their pet might get restless, stare at them, sit on their lap, or “push” or “slap” their device away.
“If I am on my phone, she will growl at me or come and sit on my lap. If I am watching TV, she brings her toy over to me to throw and play fetch. Most of the time we just play, and the TV goes off,” one person said.
Almost one in seven respondents believed they had improved their diet because of their pet, often because of becoming conscious of their pet’s nutrition.
Almost one in 11 respondents claimed to drink less, often because they wanted to spend their evenings with their pets or didn’t want to be hungover for their dog’s morning walk.
“I used to have a beer after dinner some nights but don’t feel like it anymore after walking my dog after dinner. I replaced alcohol with doggie walks,” one respondent wrote.
About one in 30 respondents said they had quit or reduced their smoking because of their pets, with many saying they were concerned about their impact on their animal’s health.
One wrote that they didn’t want their “boy inhaling the smoke or his fur smelling of it”, while one said they didn’t want their animals “to become passive smokers and suffer breathing problems”.
“My husband and I gave up smoking for our health, especially for being able to look after a dog and for our girls,” another wrote.
Having to manage pets’ vaccinations and veterinary care also appears to be having an upside, with 7.6% of respondents saying their pet has helped them prioritise regular health check-ups for themselves.
The SPCA said pets can offer a range of benefits, including reducing stress and providing routine.
“Just patting an animal actually reduces blood pressure and can help people to relax. Research has also shown that pets can help people cope with the impact of distressing life events.
“Caring for an animal can provide a sense of purpose, as well as providing structure in day-to-day life. This can be very helpful in managing conditions such as depression and anxiety. Pets love routine and can encourage us to wake, eat, play and exercise at regular times.”
Pets could also help make people more active and productive, the SPCA said.
“As many pet owners know, dogs love going for walks. This serves as a great motivator for their owners to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of exercise too! With these regular walks, pet owners can improve their fitness and cardiovascular health, as well as de-stress and unwind.
“Pets can benefit the mental health of others outside the home too. Research has shown that pets in the workplace can reduce stress, increase collaboration and promote productivity too.”
Michael Sergel is Newstalk ZB’s business reporter, covering the daily life of business and the business of daily life. He’s been covering business, politics, local government and consumer affairs for over a decade.