Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health

Popular ScienceWednesday, December 3, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM
PositiveScience
Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health
  • Recent research indicates that pet dogs can significantly enhance the mental health of teenagers by promoting a healthy balance of bacteria in their brains and digestive systems. This connection highlights the potential benefits of pet ownership during formative years.
  • The findings underscore the importance of pets, particularly dogs, in fostering emotional well-being among adolescents, suggesting that companionship with animals can be a vital component of mental health strategies for young people.
  • This development aligns with broader studies showing that pets can reduce stress and improve overall health, reinforcing the idea that strong bonds between humans and animals can lead to positive changes in behavior and emotional states, particularly in vulnerable populations like teenagers.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

Was this article worth reading? Share it

Recommended apps based on your readingExplore all apps
Continue Readings
Goodbye, finger pricks? Diabetes patients could monitor glucose with lightwaves.
PositiveScience
A new noninvasive prototype for glucose monitoring using lightwaves has been developed, potentially eliminating the need for finger pricks for diabetes patients. Future iterations of this technology may be compact enough to be worn like a watch, offering a more convenient method for managing blood sugar levels.
Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers
NeutralScience
Astronomers have discovered that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is covered in ice volcanoes, a surprising finding that adds to the comet's already unusual characteristics. This revelation continues to intrigue scientists as they study the comet's behavior and composition, which defies previous expectations about such celestial bodies.
Dogs may make us more caring and sociable by changing our microbiome
PositiveScience
Recent research indicates that owning a dog may positively influence human well-being by altering the microbiome, potentially making individuals more caring and sociable. This finding highlights the significant role pets play in shaping human health and emotional states.
Escaped lab monkey finds new home at New Jersey animal sanctuary
PositiveScience
A lab monkey named Forrest, who escaped and spent a week on the run in southeast Mississippi last October, has found a new home at an animal sanctuary in New Jersey. This development highlights the ongoing challenges related to the care and management of laboratory animals once they escape their confines.
Quieter dental drills may be on the horizon
NeutralScience
Researchers are exploring the development of quieter dental drills, which could significantly reduce the high-pitched noise that often causes anxiety, particularly among children, during dental procedures. This innovation aims to enhance patient comfort and improve the overall dental experience.
Sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to save their colony
PositiveScience
New research indicates that sick baby ants emit a chemical signal while still in their cocoons, prompting a self-sacrificial behavior to protect their colony. This discovery sheds light on the complex social dynamics and survival strategies within ant communities.
Could Weight Loss Drugs Turn Fat Cats Into Svelte Ozempets?
PositiveScience
GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for weight loss and diabetes in humans, are being explored as a potential treatment for obesity in pets, particularly cats and dogs. Recent estimates indicate that approximately 60 percent of pets in the U.S. are obese, with a significant number also suffering from diabetes.