New study challenges view that pets help us deal with stress (opens original article in a new tab)

A new study suggests that interacting with pets during stressful times may not help reduce stress and could even worsen negative feelings for some individuals, challenging the common belief that pets provide stress relief.

• Interacting with pets during stress may not reduce stress and could increase negative feelings for some
• Pet interactions linked to positive emotions but not stress relief during stressful moments
• Cat interactions may intensify negative emotions in stressed owners