Pets usually enjoy being touched and will initiate contact even if the human companion doesn't do so first. Pet owners feel needed. One of their most important purposes is to care for their pets. In order to meet the needs of their pets, owners must leave home to buy food and other supplies. If the pets are dogs, owners may increase the amount of walking they do in order to provide a dog with adequate exercise.
Pets are often entertaining and humorous to watch.
They provide a focus outside of oneself and are often able to distract their owners from dwelling on thoughts that cause negative feelings. When interacting with other people, the presence of a pet directs attention away from the owner. This is particularly helpful for people who suffer from social anxiety or phobias. Pets have much shorter expected life spans than their owners. The illness or death of a beloved pet can be very difficult for any pet owner to deal with.