8 celebs and the animals they share their lives with
Pets
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By Geralyn Dexter for ESA Doctors, Stacker
8 celebs and the animals they share their lives with
Fame is glamorous, with millions of people around the world adoring you. But with it comes relentless travel, public appearances, and endless scrutiny. And it’s this pressure that can take a significant toll on mental health.
According to a report in the National Institute of Health, celebrity mental health stories hit close because we feel like we know them. When public figures share their own struggles, it can also nudge the conversation away from shame and toward support, particularly for young people, as many agree that seeing celebrities open up helps them feel less alone, according to an interview by The New York Times. Unsurprisingly, many stars also lean on the same healthy coping strategy we do: embracing the positive benefits of animals. A furry best friend can provide unconditional love, endless joy, and zero judgment about your outfit, body weight, or latest success.
Companion animals are increasingly recognized for their role in supporting emotional well-being in everyday life. Pointing to this growing awareness is the American Psychiatric Association's Healthy Minds Monthly Poll, which finds that 1 in 5 pet owners has an emotional support animal.
Celebrities often have the resources to buy their own homes, so they typically don’t have to worry about whether their landlord will accept their animals. For individuals who don’t own their home, several organizations can help you understand eligibility for emotional support animals and the documentation required, reports ESA Doctors, a provider of emotional support animal documentation. Even if your apartment has a no-pet policy, you still have options.
Here, ESA Doctors shares some of the most famous furry friends who prove that having a pet can make all the difference. While it’s not known for sure if any of these besties are official emotional support animals, it’s likely they still provide boundless support.
Zendaya: Noon, the emotional support by her side
Zendaya’s miniature schnauzer, Noon, has become a beloved companion both on and off camera. The actor and singer often shares glimpses of life with her pup, from relaxed moments at home to playful interactions captured in interviews and social media posts. Noon’s calm, loyal presence has made him a familiar part of Zendaya’s personal world, occasionally appearing alongside her during behind-the-scenes moments or quiet downtime between projects. Fans have grown fond of the tiny dog, who seems perfectly content accompanying Zendaya through the busy rhythm of her career .
Beyond the adorable appearances, Zendaya has described Noon as a true emotional support companion. In interviews, she has spoken about how her dog provides comfort and grounding during demanding work schedules and the pressures of being constantly in the public eye. Having Noon nearby brings a sense of calm and familiarity that helps balance the intensity of film sets, press tours, and international travel. His companionship offers reassurance, routine, and unconditional affection, making him not just a pet but a small yet meaningful source of emotional stability in Zendaya’s life.
Taylor Swift: Her cats are her tiny, fluffy PR team
Taylor Swift’s love story with cats is almost as iconic as her discography. Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button: Her trio of feline companions has been woven into her public identity for over a decade. Named after her favorite TV characters, Meredith and Olivia became early fixtures of her social media, while Benjamin famously entered her life on the set of her “ME!” music video and never left. Swift doesn’t just casually own cats; she celebrates them, references them in interviews, showcases them in documentaries, and even threads feline nods throughout her lyrics and visuals. Over time, her cats have evolved from cute cameos to full-blown co-stars in the Taylor Swift universe.
It's not just about the aesthetic and Easter eggs. Swift’s cats might serve a much deeper purpose: They likely provide emotional grounding, stress relief, and steady companionship amid the pressures of global fame. She has openly expressed how much she adores them and how central they are to her daily routine, often bringing them along while traveling or ensuring they remain close during demanding work stretches. Their familiar presence offers comfort during long tours and high-intensity public scrutiny, while their affection and playful antics create moments of normalcy and calm. In a life defined by stadium crowds and constant reinvention, her cats represent something consistent and unconditional. They are a quiet, stabilizing support system that travels with her wherever she goes.
Selena Gomez: Winnie, the sweet rescue who stole her heart
Selena Gomez has always been open about her love of animals, and one of her most beloved companions is Winnie, a fluffy rescue dog who quickly became part of her inner circle. Gomez first introduced Winnie to fans on social media, sharing adorable photos and videos that immediately captured her followers’ attention. The pup joined a growing family of pets in Gomez’s life and soon began appearing regularly in her online posts, cuddling with the singer or relaxing at home beside her. Known for rescuing several of her dogs, Gomez has made pet adoption a visible part of her lifestyle, often highlighting the joy and personality her animals bring into her day-to-day routine.
Beyond the cute Instagram moments, Gomez’s dogs provide a deeper source of comfort and emotional support. As someone who has been candid about navigating health challenges and the pressures of global fame, she often finds peace in the simple companionship of her pets. Dogs like Winnie offer grounding affection and a calming presence that helps balance a busy career filled with travel, performances, and public attention. Their unconditional love and playful energy create moments of normalcy and happiness away from the spotlight, giving Gomez a loyal support system that brings stability and emotional warmth wherever she goes.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas: A full-on three-dog household
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have made their dogs a visible and affectionate part of their love story. Diana, a Chihuahua mix gifted early in their relationship, quickly became a shared companion and frequent star of their social media feeds. Over time, the couple expanded their furry family, celebrating milestones, including dog anniversaries, with the same enthusiasm as red-carpet appearances. Chopra regularly shares cozy snapshots and playful moments with Diana, while all their pups have appeared in home videos and candid glimpses of their life together, reinforcing the sense that their pets aren’t accessories to fame but integral members of the household.
The dogs may provide grounding and emotional warmth amid two globally demanding careers. With constant travel between film sets, music tours, and international appearances, having pets nearby can offer familiarity, comfort, and a shared sense of home no matter the city. The couple’s public affection for their dogs reflects a deeper emotional bond, one that brings stress relief, companionship, and lighthearted joy during hectic schedules. In a relationship lived largely in the spotlight, their pets can serve as a steady, private anchor: loyal companions who create everyday moments of calm, connection, and unconditional love.
Ariana Grande: Toulouse is the real headliner
Ariana Grande’s love of dogs didn’t quietly unfold behind the scenes; it’s been front and center for years. Her beagle-Chihuahua mix, Toulouse, has practically grown up in the spotlight, even starring alongside her in a Coach fashion campaign that cemented his status as more than just a pet. Alongside Toulouse, Grande has welcomed several rescue dogs into her life, including Myron, the pit bull mix originally adopted by Mac Miller and later cared for by Ariana after his passing. Whether she’s sharing cuddly backstage photos, stepping out with a pup in tow, or even arranging private jet travel so her dogs can fly comfortably, Grande handles pet ownership publicly with unapologetic devotion. Her dogs are woven into her celebrity lifestyle.
But behind the adorable Instagram posts and high-fashion cameos lies something deeper: Her dogs provide steady emotional grounding amid an intense global career. Grande has long been vocal about how central her pets are to her daily life, and they frequently travel with her, offering familiarity and comfort during long tours and constant movement. The presence of her dogs likely brings routine, affection, and emotional support, especially during periods of personal grief and professional pressure. By keeping them close, whether in dressing rooms or on flights, she might be able to maintain a sense of stability that counterbalances the unpredictability of fame. In many ways, her dogs function as a portable support system. They are her loyal companions who offer unconditional presence, calm, and connection wherever her career takes her.
Jennifer Aniston: ‘Emotional support,’ but iconic
Jennifer Aniston has long treated her dogs as true members of the family, not just pets, but daily companions woven into both her personal life and creative world. Over the years, she’s frequently shared glimpses of life at home with her pups, whether lounging on the couch or enjoying quiet mornings together. Her bond with them runs so deep that they’ve even influenced her professional ventures, inspiring launches within her haircare brand, LolaVie. For Aniston, her dogs are part of her everyday rhythm, present in her downtime, integrated into her routines, and openly cherished as constants in her life.
Aniston’s dogs likely offer more than companionship. They provide emotional grounding and a restorative sense of calm. She has described her ideal day off as one that includes time with her pets, highlighting how their presence contributes to relaxation, balance, and simple joy. In an industry defined by demanding schedules and public scrutiny, her dogs offer steady affection, comfort, and a reminder to slow down. Their unconditional love and familiar routines can help create a private sanctuary away from Hollywood pressures.
Billie Eilish: Shark, the rescue who found his forever home
Billie Eilish’s connection with dogs became especially personal when she adopted her pit bull mix, Shark, after initially fostering him. What started as a temporary situation quickly turned into something permanent, as Eilish bonded with the dog and decided she couldn’t let him go. Shark has since become a steady presence in her life, appearing in social media posts and spending time with her both at home and during breaks from her demanding schedule. Eilish’s love for dogs extends beyond just one pet. She’s also known for surrounding herself with rescue puppies on tour, even creating a backstage “puppy room” where she and her team can unwind with adoptable dogs. Shark stands out as her own, a rescue who found stability and a long-term home with her.
Beyond the sweet adoption story, Shark plays an important role in Eilish’s emotional well-being. The singer has spoken about facing intense pressure, including moments when her safety felt compromised by the realities of fame. In that environment, having a dog like Shark offers grounding, comfort, and a sense of security. His presence brings routine and calm to an otherwise unpredictable lifestyle, helping her decompress and feel more at ease. Whether she’s at home or taking a break from touring, Shark provides unconditional companionship, emotional support, and a loyal anchor who helps her navigate the highs and challenges of her career.
Amanda Seyfried: Finn, her steady Hollywood sidekick
Amanda Seyfried’s Australian shepherd, Finn, has been by her side for most of her career, and he has become almost as recognizable to fans as the actor herself. Seyfried adopted Finn early in her rise to fame, and the dog quickly became a constant companion, joining her on movie sets, press trips, and countless public appearances. Over the years, Finn has popped up in interviews, photoshoots, and even social media posts, often lounging calmly beside his famous owner. Seyfried has described him as her loyal sidekick throughout the whirlwind of Hollywood life, the kind of dog who quietly accompanies her everywhere and feels just as much a part of her work life as her personal life.
Beyond the cute photos and on-set visits, Finn has played a much deeper role in Seyfried’s life. The actor has spoken candidly about dealing with anxiety, and she credits Finn with helping her navigate the pressures of fame and the uncertainty of the entertainment industry. His constant presence has provided emotional stability, routine, and a calming sense of familiarity as her career has evolved. Seyfried has even said she doesn’t think she could have navigated Hollywood without him, a testament to the comfort and grounding he brings. For her, Finn isn’t just a beloved pet; he’s a trusted companion who offers reassurance, support, and unconditional loyalty through every chapter of her career.
This story was produced by ESA Doctors and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
