Having Pets Makes You a Healthier Person
The Mental and Emotional Benefits to Having Pets
According to the National Institute of Health, about 68% of U.S. households have at least one pet.
Animals have a way of making us feel more relaxed, needed, and happy. Owning pets, especially cats and dogs, according to the CDC, shows a decrease in feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, and loneliness. People who live with pets typically have reduced depression as opposed to those who don’t. Depression is often related to loneliness and social isolation. Having pets around helps with social isolation by giving you a companion.
Owning a pet can also help tremendously with dealing with post-traumatic stress. Many of us think of military veterans when talking about therapy or service dogs. But the most common use for support animals is a physical or mental disability. It doesn’t end there. Pets are more frequently being utilized for emotional support and therapy. The emotional bond that is formed between humans and animals is very strong. Most people who have pets often think of them as family or one of their kids. A lot of people even talk to their dog or cat as if they’re another person.
The Physical Benefits to Having Pets
Owning pets offers physical benefits even if you don’t run laps around the yard with them.
Studies have shown that just petting an animal can lower cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone we produce when we are anxious and stressed. Reducing stress and anxiety decreases the chances of high blood pressure. High blood pressure can contribute to numerous amount of heart problems. The simple social interactions between us and animals also produces oxytocin. Oxytocin is the feel-good chemical our brain releases when we are content, relaxed, and happy.
Playing with our pets does have significant physical benefits, though. Even just ten minutes of walking your dog down the road can have a significant impact on our physical health. Playing with animals has the amazing ability to increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin in our brains. These chemicals are responsible for our mood and help us stay calm and relaxed. Because of this, these pet owners have decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This is another factor that reduces the risk of heart problems.
The Developmental Benefits to Having Pets
There are numerous studies on the benefits that animals have on children with mental or learning disabilities.
One such study showed that children with ADHD who were around dogs in a school setting had improved focus. Another study showed the correlation between kids with diabetes and their relationship with their pet fish. The kids that owned fish as pets miraculously had lowered blood glucose levels. Caring for a fish somehow helped these adolescents manage their diabetes better. How amazing is that?
Another study was done with kids on the autism spectrum. The study showed that the kids who played with their class pet, a guinea pig, presented a more calm demeanor. Just ten minutes of time spent with these guinea pigs lowered their anxiety levels significantly. Those children overall showed better social interactions with their peers and were more engaged with them. It was suggested that the interactions with the guinea pig offered an “unconditional acceptance” that made the children more comfortable.