How does pet ownership during pregnancy affect mental health?

Researchers obtained data from 80,814 mothers during the second/third trimester of pregnancy in an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study.

Dog ownership was associated with reduced risk of depressive symptoms at 1 month and 6 months postpartum and with psychological distress at 12 months postpartum. In contrast, cat ownership was associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum and psychological distress in the second/third trimester. Ownership of both cats and dogs was associated with increased risk of psychological distress in the second/third trimester.

Results suggest that dog ownership was a protective factor for maternal mental health problems, whereas cat ownership was a risk factor.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

Pet ownership during pregnancy and mothers' mental health conditions up to 1 year postpartum: A nationwide birth cohort

Previous
Previous

How prevalent is epilepsy in Boxers?

Next
Next

Incidence of toxoplasma infection in zoo animals