Human Health Benefits of Non-Conventional Companion Animals: A Narrative Review.
Authors: Macauley Luke, Chur-Hansen Anna
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst the human-animal bond literature extensively documents wellbeing benefits associated with dogs, cats, and horses, empirical evidence supporting health gains from other companion species—birds, fish, reptiles—remains sparse despite widespread anecdotal reports. Macauley and Chur-Hansen's 2022 narrative review examined 19 peer-reviewed studies and 10 media articles to synthesise current knowledge on non-conventional companion animals and human health outcomes, finding that perceived health benefits appear largely dependent on the individual's psychological relationship with their animal rather than its species classification. The identified mechanisms through which non-conventional companion animals may enhance wellbeing include providing attachment figures and social support, structuring daily routines, engaging cognitive function, and offering restorative benefits analogous to observing natural landscapes—pathways that parallel those documented in conventional companion animal research. The review reveals significant gaps in rigorous methodological investigation of these relationships, limiting definitive claims about therapeutic efficacy for non-conventional species. For equine professionals working with clients who maintain diverse companion animals, this summary suggests that the psychological and physiological benefits these relationships confer may meaningfully influence stress resilience and overall health status in ways worth acknowledging during holistic client consultations, though practitioners should await higher-quality evidence before making explicit health claims about non-equine species.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Not applicable - this review focuses on human health benefits from pets rather than equine practice or welfare
- •The findings about human-animal bonding mechanisms may inform understanding of therapeutic human-equine interactions, but the review does not address equine-specific applications
Key Findings
- •Health benefits of companion animals are predicated on human perceptions of the animal rather than the animal's species
- •Non-conventional companion animals (birds, fish, reptiles) provide social support through attachment figures and facilitate social opportunities
- •Only 19 empirical studies and 10 media articles were identified, indicating significant gaps in rigorous research on non-conventional companion animals
- •Non-conventional companion animals may provide restorative benefits through mindful observation similar to natural landscapes