Health benefits of pets: results from the Australian People and Pets Survey
Bruce Heady
Abstract
The Australian People and Pets Survey (November 1994) is, so far as we know, the first nation-wide representative survey in any country to document the health benefits of pet ownership. It shows that dog owners and, less certainly, cat owners enjoy better health than non-owners, and it gives a preliminary account of the mechanisms which explain the differences. Further, because results are drawn from a national representative sample, it is possible to make initial estimates of the health cost savings, both to government and households, which are due to pet ownership. This paper focusses on the physical health and mental health benefits of pets; the budgetary implications will be developed in a subsequent paper.
About the Author
Assoc. Prof. Bruce Heady
The Centre for Public Policy
University of Melbourne
234 Queensberry St
Carlton Vic 3053
Bruce Headey is Associate Professor at the Centre for Public Policy at the Melbourne University. He was involved with Malcolm McHarg & Assoc doing the National People and Pets Survey, 1994, conducted on behalf of the Urban Animal Management Coalition.