Four Health Advantages of Owning a Pet

When questioned about the first thought that you think of when contemplating the addition of a pet to your home, it’s improbable that the health benefits pets deliver might be cited. Typically it’s easy to concentrate on negative details like increased responsibility and cost, the majority of people forget the intangible rewards such as health. Regrettably, these benefits are not receiving the attention that they deserve as the links between pet ownership and personal health continue to get stronger. Lately there’s been more information coming to light that shows that the adoption of a dog or cat can provide substantial benefits to one’s health. Though there are quite a few, let’s look at some of the most powerful.

Having a Dog or Cat Can Combat Depression

Almost everyone should be able to testify that living with a household pet can boost your mood and battle depression.Whether stroking one’s pet, it can take as little as a quarter of an hour to feel less anxious and stressed. Typically, the body experiences physical changes by experiencing a decreased amount of cortisol, a hormone related to stress. Moreover, therapists have been known to recommend pet companionship as a way of recovering from depression. Pets offer individuals with depression unconditional love and a supportive, non-judgmental ear that will help them overcome their condition. Pets undoubtedly provide a benefit to the mental health of their masters.

Dog Owners Are Usually More Physically Fit

There’s little doubt that dog owners are usually more physically active which derives from the needs of their pets. Demanding frequent exercise, not forgetting bathroom breaks, dogs rely on their keepers to give them the activity they require, whether it’s a stroll around the neighborhood or just playing a game. As anyone can understand, taking your dog for a daily 30-minute walk will keep you moving and ensures that you meet the minimum suggestions for healthy physical exercise. Alternatively, two 15-minute walks will have a similar benefit, and a game of catch will keep you and your best friend fit.

Cat Lovers Have a Lower Risk of Stroke

In a compelling study, researchers have established that the risk of stroke is diminished by 33% for those people who own a cat. A 2008 study performed by researchers at the University of Minnesota looked at over 4,000 individuals between the ages of 30 and 75uncovered this surprising correlation. Though a definitive reason has not been identified, it’s commonly thought that the behavior shown around cats minimizes factors that contribute to heart disease, like emotional stress, blood pressure and pulse rate. Some feel that since they are less demanding and vocal than some other types of pets, cats offer a more calming, hypnotic effect that pulls their owners’ attention away from more stressful worries.

Pets Can Aid in Eliminating Allergy Symptoms in Children

Allergies are generally on the list of biggest concerns when contemplating whether to bring pets into your home, but were you aware that having pets can actually strengthen a child’s immunity and reduce the chance that kids will develop allergies? Researchers have discovered that when children grow up in a home that has both a a cat and a dog, they are a lot less likely to acquire allergies by the time they are 13 years old. This has been determined to happen when children live on a farm with large animals, too. Although scientists haven’t been able to determine why this is the case, the reality is that a multi-pet household seems to benefit little ones’ health.

While there are many excellent reasons to get a pet, enhancing one’s health is certainly not one of the primary that come to mind. Hopefully, after looking at these few examples, enhancing health will be more highly placed when you consider getting a pet.

Regina T. Roby is a devoted pet owner who has a dog insurance policy in case of any emergency. Not to be left out, Regina’s cat Mr. Whiskers is protected by a cat insurance policy also.