In times of hardship, having the right support can make all the difference.
Some people cope by relying on their loved ones, distracting themselves with hobbies or even sleeping just to temporarily escape reality. Others find peace in the form of their pets.
Psychiatrist Dr Norni Abdullah says furry, feathered or scaled owned animals can be comforting during challenging times. These animals express emotional support like empathy, care, love and presence.
“Pets provide that without judgement. They offer genuine love, companionship and reassurance, which help individuals manage feelings of loneliness and stress.
“Their existence can regulate their owners’ emotions and increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding, trust and happiness,” she adds.
Finding comfort
For Nor Shahira Khaidir, 23, her cat Amber became her saviour during one of the darkest periods of her teenage years.
“When I was 15, I lost several people in a span of six months. They were all family members on both my mother’s and father’s side; two grandfathers, three uncles and three cousins,” says Nor Shahira.
“It was a hard time for everyone since we’re all very close. I wasn’t able to process these losses with my parents because I knew they were hurting too.”
“It was Amber that was always with me. She would follow me wherever I went. Her company gave me a place to vent and cry freely. Her not leaving me alone during that period, gave me the strength to pick myself up slowly,” she adds.
Dr Norni explains that what Nor Shahira experienced is far from a coincidence.
“They let their owners go through their emotions at their own pace.”
Similarly, for Allysha Minda Sandom, 19, her pet dog George – which she found at an abandoned area near her house – was there for her when she felt as if her world fell apart.
“One of the most difficult times in my life was when my grandfather passed away. He was my best friend and losing him so suddenly left me heartbroken,” says Allysha Minda.
“I didn’t want to talk to anyone or even eat, and George must have sensed how empty I felt because he was perpetually with me.”
“Normally, he’s a very active and playful dog, but when I came home from the funeral, he just curled up next to me quietly, resting his head on my lap as if to say ‘I’m here for you.’
“My dog gave me the kind of comfort no words could. He didn’t erase the pain but he made me stop feeling like I was all alone,” she adds.
Silent security – the kind that George accorded Allysha Minda – matters when one is feeling down.
“Sometimes people don’t want unsolicited advice or small talk. That’s why nonverbal support from pets makes people feel emotionally safe,” Dr Norni says. “Physically interacting with animals also has a calming effect on the nervous system.”
Overcoming stress
For Muhammad Naadhir Azhfar Ahmad Fuad, 23, Mocha – a stray cat he adopted from a night market – was his safe space during his school years.
“I was at my lowest during the months leading up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams,” says Naadhir Azhfar.
“For my SPM trials, I only got one A out of the 10 subjects I took. My parents, teachers and friends all criticised me since I have always been a top student. I was also the head prefect, so everyone had high expectations of me.”
“When I studied for SPM, I would put Mocha outside my room because I didn’t want her to distract me. But there was this one time, when the stress and pressure were just unbearable, that Mocha became my only source of comfort,” he says.
“She kept scratching my bedroom door like something was wrong. When I let her in, she meowed nonstop as if asking me to accompany her to sleep.”
“That action served as a gentle reminder that I can rest for a while and I don’t have to push myself too much since I’m already giving my best,” he adds.
This kind of consistent and persistent attention from a pet, explains Dr Norni, can lower their owners’ cortisol (stress hormone) levels and bring emotional grounding.
She says pets can also help restore hope and meaning for human beings by giving them emotional consistency when life feels unstable.
“Pets also make people feel needed, loved and less alone,” she adds.
“Although they can’t completely replace human connections, pets do have something special to offer: simplicity, consistency and pure affection. They function as loyal companions, which makes them strong emotional support systems during hard times,” she concludes.
