Pet parents and their furry companions have a strong connection, resulting in a bond that carries many health benefits. According to numerous scientific studies, owning an animal increases your chances of getting outside, exercising, and eventually socializing.
Regular walks or playing sessions with your pet can lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Also, pets make us feel less lonely, giving us their unconditional love and support.
Some animals are part of a unique pet therapy program. They interact with children with autism, help visually impaired people, and bring love and joy to elderly residents living in senior centers.
People often agree that their lives have improved since they got a pet. Now, let’s see in which ways pets affect our lifestyle.
They remove loneliness
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a special person in their life. Fortunately, animals are there to keep loneliness at bay. This is especially true for older people whose kids have moved out.
Pets are amazing companions, and their behavior helps us combat various types of depression. Generally, we feel more comfortable and stress-free in their company because they can take away all the anxiety.
Pet parents are also known for talking to their dogs or a cat. While this might seem odd to other people, it’s considered a form of therapy. Taking care of their furry companies increases a sense of responsibility and gives meaning to your life.
Animals boost your physical readiness
Taking your pet outside involves a certain level of physical activity. Whether you go on long runs or casual walks, you have to go outdoors. Recent research has found that walking your pets promotes engagement and boosts physical activity.
This way, you aren’t only saving money on the gym but enjoying this whole workout process.
Pets make you happier
We briefly tackled the issue of anxiety and stress in previous sections, but how do animals affect our mood? Having a pet makes you want to cuddle and laugh all the time, which leads to the release of a hormone called oxytocin, linked to calmness.
An early 2000’s study found that between pets, spouses, and friends, people felt less stressed when they were with animals. Simply put, pets make us feel less anxious and much happier. Also, patients recovering from surgery used fewer painkillers when they were surrounded by animals than those without a pet.
However, don’t forget that pets need proper care too. For all the love and support they give you, you should compensate them properly. Making sure they are healthy, well-maintained, and always sated are your top priorities as a pet owner.
You become more responsible
Pets have a certain routine you have to stick to. For example, you need to take your dog outside at least twice a day; you have to brush their teeth with dog toothpaste every night, make sure your cat’s fur is well maintained, and so on.
It seems that animals have their clock; that’s pretty accurate. And, even if you forget that it’s time for something, don’t worry, because they will be there to remind you. Having this type of routine is a great way to build healthy habits like sleeping, exercising, and overall focusing on things that matter.
Animals make you love humans more
Whether physically engaging with other people or making conversations about pets, having an animal is the most natural way to connect with other pet owners. Nowadays, you can even find online dating sites and socializing platforms specifically designed for people with particular pets.
For instance, if you have a dog, you can seek people with similar interests and those who own dogs as well. Many studies have confirmed that pet owners are often perceived as friendlier by their coworkers and neighbors due to their engagement when outdoors.
Pets improve physical and emotional health
According to recent research, having a pet in infancy leads to fewer allergies and a better immune system in kids. Owning a pet this early decreases a child’s likelihood of developing an allergy by 33%.
Many scientists believe that dander in pet hair serves as natural immunotherapy for infants and kids, causing them to have a stronger immune system and fewer missed days at school.
At this stage, emotional development is equally important. Kids who have had a pet in early childhood have become emotionally stable adults. Also, children who have been diagnosed with ADHD have been able to focus better, while animals managed to soothe kids with autism and improve their social skills.
As you can see, pets affect our lives in many ways and change our habits for the better. They make us better people, and if you already own a pet, you have already experienced these benefits. However, you are considering getting one; we hope this will help you make the right decision.
