For millions of pet owners, conversations with dogs and cats are an everyday occurrence. While most people know their pets cannot fully understand every word, that rarely stops them from chatting, confiding, praising, or even arguing with their animal companions. Now, researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a novel scientific tool that could help explain why pets appear to improve wellbeing for some people but not for others
The research, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, introduces a system called AURAL-Pet (Audio-based Understanding of Relational Animal-directed Language), which is designed to analyse how people naturally talk to their pets during daily life. The findings suggest that conversations with pets are not just a quirky habit but may provide valuable insights into human psychology, social behaviour, and mental health
The paper can be accessed
Measuring pet conversations for the first time
Scientists have long been interested in the so-called “pet effect”, the idea that companion animals can improve human wellbeing. Previous studies have linked pet ownership with reduced loneliness, lower stress levels, and improved mental health outcomes. However, the evidence remains inconsistent, with other studies finding little or no measurable benefit. According to senior author Dr Emily Bray, one reason for these mixed findings may be that researchers have lacked objective measures of how people actually interact with their pets. Most studies have depended heavily on questionnaires and self-reported behaviour.
The Arizona team sought to address this gap by creating a framework capable of capturing real-world interactions. AURAL-Pet uses a checklist of behavioural categories, including praise, commands, questions, frustration, nicknames, and other forms of animal-directed speech. Researchers then apply the coding system to audio recordings collected during everyday life. The result is the first validated tool that can systematically quantify how humans talk to their dogs and cats outside laboratory settings.
One of the most striking findings is the sheer amount of conversation directed towards pets. The researchers found that approximately 10 percent of all talking performed by pet owners was directed at their pets. In some individuals, the proportion was substantially higher. The recordings also revealed remarkable diversity in communication styles. Some people frequently used nicknames and affectionate language, while others rarely did. Some treated pets as confidants, whereas others focused mainly on commands and practical communication.
This variation could prove important. Just as different parenting styles influence child development, differing communication styles may influence the nature of the human-animal bond. Understanding these differences could help explain why pet ownership is associated with positive outcomes for some people but less strongly for others
Listening in on everyday life
To collect data, the researchers used a smartphone-based technology called the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR). Developed by psychology professor Matthias Mehl, the application periodically activates throughout the day and records short snippets of ambient sound. Participants consent to recording but do not know the specific research question being investigated. This approach offers an important advantage. Rather than asking participants to remember or describe their behaviour, researchers observe what people actually do in real-life settings.
Using archived EAR datasets, investigators identified 5,072 audio clips involving pets from 240 participants. When independent coders applied the AURAL-Pet framework, the tool demonstrated strong reliability, with 22 of 23 measured variables achieving acceptable agreement between reviewers. That level of consistency suggests the system can be used in future research to examine human-animal interactions across a wide range of populations
Beyond measurement, the recordings provide intriguing glimpses into how pets function in human lives. Researchers reported examples of owners returning home after difficult days and immediately discussing their experiences with their pets. Others used animals as sounding boards, offering praise, seeking comfort, or engaging in extended one-sided conversations. Psychologists have long recognised that social support plays an important role in wellbeing. Pets may offer a unique form of support. They are perceived as non-judgmental, consistently available, and emotionally responsive, even if they cannot fully understand complex human language.
The new research suggests that one important mechanism may be conversational behaviour itself. Speaking to a pet may provide emotional processing opportunities similar to those gained through conversation with another person. Whether this translates into measurable mental-health benefits remains a subject for future investigation
The research team is already applying AURAL-Pet within another project focused on adults over 60 years of age. Older adults may derive particular benefits from pet companionship, especially when retirement, bereavement, or reduced mobility limit social contact. Researchers hope to explore whether interactions with pets can compensate for some forms of social isolation or facilitate interactions with other people. Indeed, dogs often serve as social catalysts. Everyday activities such as dog walking frequently generate spontaneous conversations between strangers. In this sense, the animal serves not only as a companion but also as a bridge to wider social networks.
Perhaps the most important contribution of the Arizona research is methodological rather than clinical. For years, scientists have debated whether pets improve wellbeing. The AURAL-Pet system offers a way to move beyond broad questions of pet ownership and examine the specific behaviours that occur within human-animal relationships. As Dr Bray notes, animal behaviour researchers are interested in observable actions rather than assumptions. By analysing actual conversations, researchers can begin to understand the mechanisms that underpin the human-animal bond.
The findings remind us that relationships with companion animals are often far richer and more varied than simple ownership statistics suggest. Whether offering comfort after a stressful day, encouraging social interaction, or simply listening patiently to a household monologue, pets may influence wellbeing in ways that science is only beginning to quantify
