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Did you know that people who own dogs have a tendency to live longer than those who don’t have dogs?
It’s true!
Not only that, dog parents also tend to have a better recovery after heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues.
And it’s not just dogs. Other animals, such as cats, horses, fish… you name it… can also positively impact your health.
If you are not a pet owner and are curious about the benefits of owning a pet…
…or if you are already a proud pet parent and are curious about how much good your pet might be doing for your health…
Read on to discover 10 reasons pets are good for your health.
Whether you’ve had a long day at work or are plagued by personal problems (or both!), coming home to a furry friend can help reduce your stress levels and make you feel more relaxed.
Stroking a soft coat, or playing with a friendly animal, can divert your attention from whatever is causing you anxiety and help you feel calm and centered.
And if you’re finding it hard to rewind after a stressful day, spending some time with a pet before bed can help prepare you for a good night’s sleep.
If you have a child with ADHD, a pet could be just what they need to help them focus and stay on track.
A study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that children with ADHD who interacted with therapy dogs had improved social skills, sharing, cooperation, and reduction in problematic behavior than those who did not interact with dogs.
And Developmental Psychobiology published a study that found that when children with autism were in the presence of animals, anxiety dropped and they had better social interactions.
Children who had service dogs had improved social skills and communication abilities compared to those who did not have service dogs.
Pets need exercise just like we do, which means taking them for walks or playing with them can help us get moving, too.
A scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in Circulation, revealed a study finding dog owners were more likely to meet daily recommended physical activity guidelines than those without dogs.
And this physical activity can do wonders for your health! Walking is great for improving cardiovascular fitness, joint mobility, and muscle strength, and it can also help to control weight gain.
Pet ownership has been linked with lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, lower heart rates, and reduced risk of heart disease.
One study published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation, even found that dog owners were less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than those without dogs.
So if you’re looking for a way to improve your heart health, having a pet may help!
Pets can actually help boost your immune system!
Studies have found that exposure to pets early in life (before the age of 6 months) can lead to increased immunity to allergens later in life, and that people who owned dogs had fewer sick days than those who did not own dogs.
Imagine a life with fewer allergies and illnesses!
If you’re looking for an easy way to meet new people and make friends, then owning a pet may be a great way to do that!
When you’re out walking your dog or taking them to the park, you’ll inevitably strike up conversations with other pet parents – and before you know it, you’ll have made some new friends.
Joining a local dog walking group is another great way to meet like-minded people (and of course, get some exercise too!).
All of us need emotional support. And for people with PTSD, dementia, and social anxiety, pets provide that beneficial emotional support.
Pets improve your mood and can brighten your day.
Many hospitals and long-term care facilities will sometimes bring in therapy dogs to provide the emotional support needed by ill, injured, and elderly patients.
As mentioned earlier, people with dogs walk more often. Walking is a weight-bearing exercise, which strengthens your bones.
And an added benefit if you walk outside is being exposed to the sun. The sun exposure provides vitamin D, which allows your bones to absorb calcium, improving bone health.
A little-known fact is that cat purrs help, also! A study published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America found that the vibrations from a cat’s purrs are healing for humans. They can help heal bones, muscles, and soft tissues. Who knew?
Pets can have a positive effect on your mental health.
A study conducted at Washington State University and published in Science Daily found that college students who interacted with dogs and cats had increases in hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. These hormones improve mood and happiness.
The students also had decreased cortisol, the stress hormone. And stress can lead to anxiety and depression.
For many pet parents, the unconditional love provided by their pets is unmatched to any other feeling. No other human provides this.
Pets make us humans feel loved and cherished, one of the basic human needs. Pets are our companions… spending time together and sharing experiences.
They are like family and best friends, all rolled into one furry little being.
Pets offer a number of health benefits for their owners, including reducing stress and anxiety levels, helping you stay active, improving your heart health, boosting your immunity, and more.
If you are not a pet parent but have been considering getting a pet, there are many places to check them out. Shelters and rescues have dogs and cats, not to mention other furry animals. You can find birds and fish at pet stores, among other places. All it takes is a search online, or a trip to a local shelter, pet adoption event, or pet store.
And if you already have a pet, go give them some love and appreciation now for all the health benefits they are providing you!
So, does your family include a pet? Are you thinking of becoming a pet parent?
Let us know in the comments!