For pet owners everywhere, the benefits of having an animal in the home are obvious; they raise your mood when you’re down, they offer much needed companionship in the lonelier hours, and they provide great comfort and security, both in a physical sense and in a more symbolic, allegorical way.
That’s all well, good and tangible, but the plus points of having a pet extend far beyond the tired old trope of being ‘man’s best friend’. Yes, having animals around the home can bring a positive impact on both your mental and physical wellbeing. So, here are 5 ways a pet can improve your health.
A Natural Mood Enhancer
Pets are natural mood enhancers. If you’ve never owned a pet, that may sound very strange indeed, but it’s true – people with pets are, studies show, generally happier than those without. They are less lonely, and trust more. The responsibility bestowed on the owner brings with it a sense of purpose.
It goes further; making sure your pet is healthy and in good shape with long and frequent walks, keeping an eye on nutrition, and arranging the necessary appointments at the vet, all bring with them a sense of achievement and pride.
And all that exercise you get when out walking your dog? Well, that’s great for your mood, too, with Better Health reporting that a regular brisk walk with your pup leads to ”improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress”.
When it comes to mental health, pets can certainly improve things by giving their owners positive mental energy, and raising serotonin and dopamine levels, whilst at the same time decreasing cortisol. The effect is less stress and anxiety, and more happiness. And we could all do with a bit of that, couldn’t we?
A Boost To The Immune System
Having a pet may also boost your immune system, and here’s why; exposure to your dog’s slobber could keep your immune system working, functioning and strong. We’ve all heard the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ about how over-cleanliness is actually bad for us. Well, exposure to a little bacteria on our dogs is the perfect antidote to this.
Read: 7 tips for keeping your dog happy and healthy in 2022
Good For The Heart, Good For The Soul
Research has shown that having a pet in the house (especially a dog) can reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve the owner’s longevity. People with pets are calmer, and that means lower blood pressure. Interestingly, cholesterol levels in pet owners are also often much lower than in those without an animal at home.
Away from the physical, pets are also incredibly nourishing for the soul, providing companionship and devotion without judgement. We could all use a bit of that from time to time, don’t you think?
A Facilitator Of Increased, Meaningful Human Interaction
Pets will certainly improve your social life. It could be in a physical sense; walking your dog every day at the same time, along with other dog walkers, will allow you to meet people whilst out and about. It could also be in a virtual sense; there are many forums and online groups for pet owners, sometimes they are general, sometimes they are for a specific animal or breed of animal.
Animals are fantastic conversation starters as well, so if you’re at a party, and you’re not sure what to talk about, why not bring up the subject of your pet or pets, enabling a friendly, informal chat with like-minded people with no issues at all.
A Calming Influence On Children With Autism & ADHD
It’s not just adults who can benefit from owning a pet. Pets of all shapes and sizes are also helpful to children who are living autism or ADHD. Children who are affected by these conditions often have sensory divergences, and that makes interacting with people a problem. Animals, however, seem to be able to hold the children’s attention, calming them and allowing them to be more present and involved in the current situation.
Similar benefits have been suggested for seniors, particularly those who have recently been widowed, with the shared companionship hugely meaningful in a person (and a pup’s!) later years. Well that’s one way to tackle the loneliness epidemic, hey?
If you’re wondering what breed would be the best fit for children, seniors or just about anyone in between, then check out our guide to the 7 IDEAL dog breeds to best suit your lifestyle. And after all this talk, we’re off to walk ours!
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*