Mars Launches PAWS program
A new global study will examine the impact of relationships between humans and animals.
Mars, Inc. has announced the launch of the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program. According to the company, PAWS is set to become the world’s largest, multi-year research program exploring the impact of cats and dogs on mental health and well-being, deepening our understanding of the mutual benefits of the human-animal bond.
Led by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in collaboration with leading academic institutions and experts, PAWS will examine the connection between pets and human mental health and well-being (including stress, anxiety, loneliness and overall well-being).
“In the context of pet ownership, many people who have a dog or cat will tell you their pet is part of the family and that having pets benefits them in some way,” said Dr. Tammie King, senior research manager, Waltham Petcare Science Institute. “Studying the relationship between pets and people can provide researchers with insights to better understand when, how and why pets may be good for people, and what can be done to support the human-pet relationship, ensuring that both human and animal well-being is considered.
The PAWS program is set to engage over 35,000 participants across more than 20 countries globally in its initial phase and will continue to build over time. “A global approach ensures a diverse and comprehensive perspective on human-animal interactions, reflecting different populations, cultural contexts, and relationships between people and pets,” Dr. King said.
The studies in the PAWS program will be led by principal investigators from world-leading academic institutions and organisations, as well as and in collaboration with HAI researchers within Waltham Petcare Science Institute. Each study has its own unique robust study design and methodology aimed at addressing a specific research question. The ambition of the PAWS program leaders is to embrace mixed-methods research (i.e., quantitative and qualitative).
Within the current scope of the program there are a range of experimental approaches using techniques such as Electrodermal Activity (EDA) monitoring and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), as well as qualitative interviews with pet owners. Through multiple approaches the goal is to add depth and richness to insights generated. “Together, these studies aim to advance scientific understanding of the relationships between pets and people, and the implications for health and well-being across species,” Dr. King said.
The value of research
Research in the field has already uncovered some interesting findings and there is increasing evidence that owning a pet, or simply interacting with one has the potential to bring physical and mental health benefits to people of all ages and from all walks of life. The aim of the PAWS program is to deepen this knowledge of the human-pet relationship to better understand how both human and non-human species can thrive and derive mutual benefit from one another.
“Through robust scientific research, insights may contribute to shaping the future of public health, where evidence on mental health and well-being impacts of human-pet relationships might lead to important policy considerations,” Dr. King said.
Well-being has become an increasingly vital priority with 45% of people across 31 countries identifying mental health as their top health concern.1 At the same time, global anxiety and stress levels are rising, affecting over 301 million people worldwide.2 A growing body of evidence shows that pets can have a positive impact on mental health, underscoring the powerful potential of human-animal interaction to enhance well-being.3
“Also, more people own pets than ever – more than half (56%) of people are now pet owners and a global pet population of 1 billion.4 With that understanding, the impact of relationships between humans and animals has never been more important, and there has never been a more opportune time to deepen scientific understanding in this field,” Dr. King noted.
References:
1 IPSOS, Ipsos Health Service Report 2024: Mental Health Seen as the Biggest Health Issue, 2024
2 World Health Organization, Anxiety Disorders, 2023
3 Gitanjali E. Gnanadesikan et al. Glucocorticoid response to naturalistic interactions between children and dogs. Hormones and Behavior. Volume 161, May 2024
4 Mars, Mars Global Pet Parent Study, 2024
Mars to partner with Calm
As part of the program, Mars is also partnering with Calm, a leading mental health company. The collaboration combines Calm’s expertise in mental wellness with Mars’ leading research into the human-animal bond and will encompass research and content through 2025.
