For over 80 years, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has underpinned our understanding of physiological and psychological human requirements. At its heart it is a motivational theory, then can be divided into deficiency and growth needs, with the premise that deficiency needs will motivate people when they are unmet.  

Maslow proposed a pyramid structure of these needs, with the most basic survival needs forming the base of the pyramid and motivating behaviour. As needs are met, individuals are motivated to progress through the different hierarchical levels achieving safety, love and belonging, esteem, and ultimately self-actualisation[1].

A similar construct can be applied to pets. Companion animals rely on us to meet their basic survival needs, but the interaction and co-regulation between pets and humans extends far beyond the base of the pyramid.

Mutual Needs

Pets provide significant physical and mental health benefits to their human companions. Studies consistently demonstrate that having a pet can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. In addition, living with a dog can even lower the risk of cardiovascular death by up to 31%[2] in dogs. Whereas, non-cat owners have a 40% increased relative risk of heart attack, compared to cat owners[3].

Just as we benefit from the companionship of pets, pets depend on their human caregivers for their physiological needs, including access to food, clean water, shelter, and health care. However, meeting a pet’s medical needs can be costly and it’s important for pet parents to plan appropriately to ensure they have the financial means to cover these costs.  According to PetSure 2023 Claims data, one in seven dogs and cats have had lifetime healthcare costs exceeding $50,000.

Love and Connection

Pets have the added benefit of increasing serotonin and dopamine levels for their owners when held/cuddled, which can contribute to our overall sense of mental and emotional well-being[4]. Studies have also suggested that companion animals can be associated with better mental health outcomes, such as reduced anxiety and depression and can also enhance overall quality of life[5].

Just as we need social interaction and emotional bonding, pets also require companionship and affection from us to meet their psychological needs.

Providing mental stimulation through interactive games and toys, plus regular physical exercise including playtime and walks, has been demonstrated/hypothesised to improve an animal’s cognitive function and overall well-being[6]. This in turn can help to reduce stress experienced by pets, aid in managing anti-social behaviours and strengthen the all-important bond between pets and their caregivers.

Fulfilling the Need for Purpose and Self-Actualisation

Over 60% of cat and dog owners consider their pets as members of the family[7]. Taking care of a pet requires responsibility and routine. This can bring with it a sense of purpose and achievement. It can also form an important part of one’s identity, contributing to overall connection and a sense of belonging. For children, caring for a pet can aid in developing empathy and compassion, providing a unique opportunity for emotional development[8].

Pets, too, thrive on guidance, training, and interactive play. These activities stimulate their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Research suggests that dogs are primarily motivated by the pursuit of rewards, safety, and social belonging, rather than solely aiming to please humans[9]. Reward-based training illustrates how, by aligning these motives of our pets with a positive outcome (i.e. a treat) pet parents can enhance their pet’s well-being.

While pets don’t pursue self-actualisation in the human sense, they can achieve a state of well-being and fulfillment with the help of their owners and by aligning their natural instincts with an ability to express their innate behaviours. Facilitating a pet’s self-actualisation involves recognising and nurturing their intrinsic motivations for happiness, security, and social integration. It’s about creating an environment where the pursuit of joy through rewards, companionship, and meaningful engagement leads them toward their most fulfilled selves.

Sources

Dr Kaylene Jones 2024, Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) 2021 Report highlights vital role of veterinarians in society, Animal Medicines Australia, Animal Medicines Australia, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.vetvoice.com.au/articles/ama-report-highlights-vital-role-of-veterinarians-in-society/>.

https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets

Caroline K. Kramer, Sadia Mehmood & Renée S. Suen 2019, Dog Ownership and Survival A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, AHA Journals, AHA Journals, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554>.

The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Having a Pet 2020, Psychology Today, Psychology Today, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/202010/the-psychological-and-physical-benefits-having-pet>.

Nancy R. Gee, Kerri E. Rodriguez, Aubrey H. Fine & Janet P. Trammell 2021, Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach, National LIbrary of Medicine, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8042315/>.

Good Mental Stimulation For Dogs n.d., Vet Explains Pet, Vet Explains Pet, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://vetexplainspets.com/good-mental-stimulation-for-dogs/#>.

Dog Training Requires Respecting the Deep Emotional Lives of Dogs 2022, Psychology Today, Psychology Today.

Deborah L. Wells, Megan A. Clements, Laura J. Elliott, Eimear S. Meehan, Cora J. Montgomery & Grace A. Williams (2022) Quality of the Human–Animal Bond and Mental Wellbeing During a COVID-19 Lockdown, Anthrozoös, 35:6, 847-866, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2022.2051935

Buchanan, T. M., & McConnell, A. R. (2017). Family as a source of support under stress: Benefits of greater breadth of family inclusion. Self and Identity, 16, 97-122.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554

May Clinic News Network 2023, Why dogs are good for your health, Medical Xpress, Mayo Clinic News Network, viewed 19 March 2024, <https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-12-dogs-good-health.html?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MedicalXpress_TrendMD_1>.

Psychology Today (n.d.). Animal-Assisted Therapy. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/animal-assisted-therapy [Accessed 19 Mar. 2024].

RSPCA Australia n.d., The importance of enrichment for dogs Generic Avatar RSPCA Aus, RSPCA Australia, RSPCA Australia, viewed 20 March 2024, <https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/the-importance-of-enrichment-for-dogs/#:~:text=As%20responsible%20pet%20owners%2C%20prioritising,physical%20exercise%2C%20and%20emotional%20fulfillment.>.

Hare & Tomasello (2005): This reference is to studies conducted by Brian Hare and Michael Tomasello, who have extensively researched canine cognition. For specific studies, look for their work on dog intelligence and social behavior, particularly regarding how dogs understand human gestures and social cues. You might search for their research on Google Scholar or in academic databases using terms like “Brian Hare Michael Tomasello dog cognition.”

Fernandes et al. (2017): This is a generalized reference to studies on reward-based training effectiveness. To find specific studies, you could search academic databases or Google Scholar for “reward-based dog training” and include “Fernandes” in your search terms to look for authors by that name published in 2017.

Deborah L. Wells, Megan A. Clements, Laura J. Elliott, Eimear S. Meehan, Cora J. Montgomery & Grace A. Williams (2022) Quality of the Human–Animal Bond and Mental Wellbeing During a COVID-19 Lockdown, Anthrozoös, 35:6, 847-866, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2022.2051935

Range & Virányi (2014): Friederike Range and Zsófia Virányi have conducted studies on dog social learning and cooperation. To locate their work, use search terms like “Range Virányi dog social learning” or “dog cooperation studies” in academic search engines or on Google Scholar.

American Kennel Club n.d., Dog Breeds, American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, viewed 20 March 2024, <https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/>.

References

[1] It should be noted that the order of needs is not a rigid structure and may be quite flexible based on external circumstances. It has also since been expanded upon to include cognitive and aesthetic needs.

[2] Caroline K. Kramer, Sadia Mehmood & Renée S. Suen 2019, Dog Ownership and Survival A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, AHA Journals, AHA Journals, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554>.

‌[3] https://habri.org/assets/uploads/HAB_The-Pet-Effect_Heart_Attack_Survival.png

[4] The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Having a Pet 2020, Psychology Today, Psychology Today, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/202010/the-psychological-and-physical-benefits-having-pet>.

‌[5] Nancy R. Gee, Kerri E. Rodriguez, Aubrey H. Fine & Janet P. Trammell 2021, Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach, National LIbrary of Medicine, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8042315/>.

‌[6] Good Mental Stimulation For Dogs n.d., Vet Explains Pet, Vet Explains Pet, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://vetexplainspets.com/good-mental-stimulation-for-dogs/#>.

‌[7] Dr Kaylene Jones 2024, Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) 2021 Report highlights vital role of veterinarians in society, Animal Medicines Australia, Animal Medicines Australia, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.vetvoice.com.au/articles/ama-report-highlights-vital-role-of-veterinarians-in-society/>.

[8] Children’s and Adolescents’ Pet Attachment, Empathy, and Compassionate Responding to Self and Others 2022, MDPI, MDPI, viewed 16 April 2024, <https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/2/4/39>.

‌[9] https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/animal-emotions/202202/dog-training-requires-respecting-the-deep-emotional-lives-dogs

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