Animals comforts: Why owning a pet makes you 'happier and more likely to live longer. Owning a lively pet may sometimes prove exasperating, but it appears all the effort is worth it. Pet owners are healthier, have greater self-esteem and are less lonely than those who don't have animals at home, according to a study. Not only that, but they are also more conscientious, extroverted and less fearful, researchers at the American Psychological Association said. They believe that pets serve as important sources of social and emotional support for the average person, and not just individuals facing significant health challenges. Lead researcher, Allen R McConnell, of Miami University in Ohio, said: 'We observed evidence that pet owners fared better, both in terms of well-being outcomes and individual differences, than non-owners on several dimensions. 'Specifically, pet owners had greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less...