More than half the nation’s households have pets, which means there’s a good chance Whiskers and Spot could be improving your health in one of the ways below. Whether you already own a pet or you’re considering a new addition to the family, read on for some tail-wagging reasons pets are good for your health.
1. They make your heart happy.
Wanna ace this year’s annual physical (opens in new tab)? Or wow your doc with a killer heart rate reading? Pets can . Walking, petting, and playing with your furry friend may help you lower your blood pressure, maintain a , and decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, all of which can decrease your risk of having heart issues like heart attack or stroke.
Don’t be surprised if you become a bit of a social butterfly when you’ve got Fido in tow. As social animals, dogs especially can increase your opportunity for socialization and outdoor activities. Routinely walking your pup gives you the chance to make friends, have interesting conversations, and stay connected with your community. Even a trip to the vet is a chance to connect with others. Pets can also help bring families together and reduce conflict or tensions between family members.
3. They give you a sense of purpose.
Studies have shown that the root of anxiety is often the fear of being unneeded. Getting a pet is a great way to fix that. Pets provide you with a routine. Walking, feeding, brushing, even cleaning the litterbox reminds us on a daily basis that our furry friends need us to survive. The unconditional love and support pets give us in return can increase our empathy and sense of self-worth, and reminds us that we should take care of ourselves, too.
4. They speed childhood development.
Children who grow up in households with pets benefit in many ways. Pets can teach children important life lessons and values like responsibility, nurturing, compassion, loyalty, and empathy. Children with special needs (opens in new tab) can benefit from interacting with pets, helping them calm down when things get overwhelming. Unlike parents, pets are uncritical and provide an unconditional support system when things get tough. Pets also offer children a sense of routine, comfort, and stability if their parents are still at work when they come home from school.
5. They help you manage your emotions.
Pets are a source of solace (opens in new tab) that help us cope with negative emotions like anger, disappointment, and grief. Most pet owners talk to their pets, and some even use them to work through their conflicts or emotions. Definitely an upgrade from talking to yourself in the mirror when times are tough.
Pets can help us cope with mental health disorders and chronic health problems like:
Chronic pain: For people who suffer from chronic pain (like migraines or back pain), maintaining lower anxiety levels can help reduce flare-ups and inflammation. Connecting with a pet can make you feel less alone when you’re suffering.
PTSD: Therapy animals (opens in new tab) are often used to help treat people cope with post-traumatic stress. For years, pets have been used with nursing home patients, army vets, the handicapped, and even inmates to provide a support system when times are tough.
6. They help you stay alert.
Whether it be a health issue or an emergency (like a fire or intruder), your pet may sense something’s up before you do. Dogs are known to pick up on early signs of seizures (opens in new tab) and sometimes even cancer. Pets may react when diabetic patients’ blood glucose levels drop (opens in new tab) by exhibiting a significant change in behavior. For hearing- and visually-impaired patients, service dogs (opens in new tab) can help provide stability, guidance, and protection when stepping out into the world.
7. They boost your immune system.
One of the downsides to pets is that some people develop allergies to certain types of animals. The good news is that immunity can be built from an early age. The more pets you have earlier in life, the fewer allergies you’ll develop (opens in new tab), which is why many children who grow up in households with pets have fewer allergies in their adult years. Unfortunately, if you’ve already got an allergy, exposure to pets later in life won’t magically make you stop sneezing.
8. They get you moving.
Pet owners are known to have a higher rate of physical activity, especially dog owners (opens in new tab), who often walk their dogs a few times a day. Dogs are a great motivator to meet your fitness goals and stay active. They can also join you on your walk, run, or frisbee game. It’s like having a teammate, coach, and personal cheering section all-in-one!
While pets can be great for your health, owning one (or more) can be a lot of responsibility. It’s important to consider your home environment and lifestyle before getting one. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and making a new best friend, try a local shelter (opens in new tab) to start your search.
