How pets make our lives healthier
Pet ownership has been booming since the start of the pandemic, but it was on the rise even before this time. Pets have risen from a companion animal largely kept as a status symbol, to a family member most owners wouldn’t dream of parting with.
Most of us lavish care on our animals, and give them everything they need from dental and medical care to quality food and enrichment. There’s no doubt that you are good for the pet in your life, but it may surprise you to learn that pets are just as good for you. Here are a few reasons why.
They are good for mental health
In a study conducted in 2020 by the University of York, researchers found that pets acted as a buffer against the psychological stress of the pandemic. If you’re a pet owner, that comes as no surprise. Pets reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and can also help us to feel less lonely. These are all important during normal life stressers, but especially important during times like the pandemic.
Pet dogs help inspire you to exercise
Let’s face it. The last thing you want to do after a long day of work is to go out and exercise on top of that. In normal situations you might be tempted to stay on the couch. It’s a bit harder to make that decision for yourself when there’s a set of dog eyes boring into you, waiting for the nightly rounds.
Studies once again back this up, with dog owners being a whopping 4 times more likely to exercise than their petless counterparts. In a unique study performed back in 2006, it also showed that when pet owners went into a weight loss program with their pet, they were significantly more likely to maintain weight loss than those who tried to lose weight on their own.
Pets are good for heart health
It’s not just dogs that are great for our health either, petting a furry friend has been shown to significantly improve blood pressure and stress levels. According to Harvard University, pet owners are likely to have lower blood pressure than non pet owners. Pet ownership is also shown to help with cholesterol levels.
In one study done in cat owners, it was found that people who owned a cat were less likely to die from a heart attack than people who didn’t. It makes sense, if owning a pet reduces blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels, the fact that heart attacks are less likely go right along with it.
Whether you own a dog, a cat, or a more unique animal, pets are good for your health. They provide companionship, stave off loneliness, and even help us on the physical level with healthier hearts. If you’ve been pondering whether or not to get a pet, or simply need a good reason to give Fido a well deserved pat on the head, there’s no doubt your pet is good for you.
