Pets and Plants: How Caring for Another Helps Us
- Emma Barr, LPA
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Therapy, mindfulness, and community support all play vital roles in mental health, but there’s another source of quiet healing we often overlook: the companionship of pets and plants. Yes, even plants.
A key part of having companionship means we have to be a companion as well. Caring for a thriving monstera or curling up with a sleepy cat might seem like simple pleasures, yet these small moments can profoundly nurture our emotional well-being. Here’s how.
Routine and Responsibility
If there is one thing our minds and bodies thrive on, it's routine. The same goes for pets and plants. You have probably woken up to see your cat already waiting by the food dish at breakfast time. Your dog might come get you when it's time for dinner. They don't read clocks, but they know when it's time to eat!
Feeding a pet or watering a plant may seem like mundane tasks, but they provide gentle structure and rhythm to your day. Taking care of another living thing can provide a sense of purpose we may not otherwise have. They depend you.
Likewise, caring for plants, even though they don’t wag their tails, creates a sense of living connection. Watching a plant respond to sunlight or grow new leaves reinforces that your actions have a positive effect. That feedback, however subtle, can be emotionally validating.
Companionship and Connection
A very common problem now days is that of loneliness. Anyone who has had a dog knows you get unconditional love and acceptance from them. Cats can be more subtle with how they show it, but once you become fluent in their language, you'll see that they are just as loving!
Sometimes, it's just comforting to share space with another living thing. Isn't it nice to come home to a wagging tail or cheerful meowing? Pets offer a sense of unconditional acceptance because they don't judge. They don't care whether we did well at work; they just care that you are there.
Being Present
Caring for living things demands mental presence and attentiveness. You're aware when your spider plant needs more light. You notice when your dog starts walking funny. These moments pull you out of your head and into your five senses. That kind of attentive stillness is the essence of mindfulness and it often comes more naturally in the company of pets and plants than in a formal meditation setting.
Biological and Psychological Benefits
Lower stress hormones and boost bonding hormones: Interacting with pets has been shown to reduce cortisol (a key stress hormone) while increasing oxytocin, the hormone linked with bonding and positive social connection.
Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression: Research indicates that gardening and plant care activities can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance overall mood and emotional wellbeing. Gardening allows engagement with nurturing tasks that have intrinsic meaning and satisfaction.
Getting Started
You don’t need a garden or a golden retriever to begin. Start small:
Adopt a low-maintenance plant like a pothos, snake plant, or ZZ plant. Give it a fun name!
Volunteer at a local animal shelter. Pets are a responsibility, so make sure you know you want one before committing.
Offer to walk a friend’s dog or cat-sit while they’re away.
Final Thoughts
Plants and pets remind us of something easy to forget in a noisy world: that caring matters. Not just the care we receive, but the care we give. When we nurture others, we nurture ourselves. So, if you're feeling disconnected, stuck, or overwhelmed, consider letting something grow beside you. It might just help you grow, too.
