How do you know if a pet is helping your mental health or if it is just temporary excitement Health

When you first get a pet, everything feels new and uplifting. That rush of happiness is real, but it can simply be excitement. The difference shows over time. If months later your pet still helps you feel calmer on stressful days, less lonely at night, and more motivated to follow a routine, that is more than novelty. Real emotional support feels steady and grounding, not intense and short lived. If their presence consistently reduces anxiety and helps you regulate your emotions, it is likely genuine mental health support rather than just the thrill of something new.