Mars, Incorporated has announced the launch of the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program. PAWS is set to become the world’s largest, multi-year research program exploring the impact of cats and dogs on mental health and wellbeing, 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 wellbeing (including stress, anxiety, loneliness and overall wellbeing). The multi-disciplinary research program will engage over 35,000 people across over 20 countries in the initial phase and will continue to build over time. The program aims to bring deeper insight and scientific data into the mutual benefits of the human-animal bond, including how pets may enrich lives and how the bond contributes to the life of pets.
Loïc Moutault, president of Mars Petcare, says: “As a pet owner, I know firsthand the joy and comfort pets bring to our lives and there is increasing evidence that owning a pet or simply interacting with one can bring benefits to people of all ages and from all walks of life. We’re aiming to deliver on our purpose: a better world for pets, because we believe pets make our lives better, and through this study program we aim to provide deeper, science-backed understanding of the mutual bond between people and pets.”
Over the lifetime of the study program the collaborative research will include work with academic institutions and partners including Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, University of Maryland School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, YouGov and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, with the aim to deliver novel research and new insights.
Dr Maggie O’Haire, associate dean for research at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine said: “Both the breadth and depth of this study program promise to deliver novel data and greater insight into something many people instinctively feel – that the bond between pet and pet owner is a powerful and unique part of the human experience. We are proud to continue to collaborate with Mars and its world-leading research institute as it embarks on this transformative work.”
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.
Dr. Chris Mosunic, chief clinical officer, Calm says: “Pets are daily sources of calm, joy, and connection. Through our partnership with Mars, we aim to understand these relationships better and illuminate the unique role pets play in mental health and wellbeing, supported by new in-app resources.”
Wellbeing has become an increasingly vital priority with 45 percent of people across 31 countries identifying mental health as their top health concern (IPSOS, 2024). At the same time, global anxiety and stress levels are rising, affecting over 301 million people worldwide (WHO, 2023). 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 wellbeing (Mars 2024; Gitanjali et al, 2024). With 56% of people worldwide owning pets and a global pet population of one billion, understanding the universal and transformative bond between humans and animals has never been more important.
Mars advocates for the essential role companion animals play in our lives and is committed to tackling issues such as pet homelessness to keep pets and people together. Over the next five years, Mars aims to support millions of vulnerable pets worldwide alongside a coalition of dedicated partners and believes a deeper understanding of the role pets play in people’s lives will contribute to improving the lives of pets and the people who care for them.
