Getting Older? You Need A Pet!

With rising concern over heart attacks and other diseases, perhaps you have overlooked a simple solution to the betterment of your health. By simply owning a cat, studies show you can decrease the incidence of a heart attack by up to 30%. There have been reports of cats and dogs saving lives through amazing feats. If you could extend your life, there’s no better way than by adding a furry ball of love into your world.

While pets are good for any age, the aging population is particularly affected by pet ownership. When social networks begin to slow down, having a cat jump on your lap and ask for attention causes the owner to feel needed. The responsibility of caring for a pet also provides purpose. Once children have grown and moved away, it can keep the onset of depression at bay.

What can a cat or dog do for you? Well they can scratch your furniture, poop in your yard, cause spills and thrills throughout your house. Well, they’re not perfect either. Even in the face of these little mishaps, improvements in areas such as heart disease caused by higher blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are consistently experienced. It’s not completely understood but cat owner seem to benefit a little more from these life extending benefits than their dog owner counterparts. It’s easy to see why a pet can have such effects on us. Instead of a sedentary and isolated existence that many might adopt later in life, a pet adds spice and activity to daily life. The care and requirements of a pet companion keeps one their toes, active and happy as they care for the needs of their friend. Additional actives such as dog walking and getting out of the house with the pets are a big help for many.

Now we are not saying, just drop everything and go out and buy any old ‘big eyed’ dog or cat at the local shelter. There are some things that might detract from a happy experience if not taken into account. For instance, pets require special care such as flea and tick medication. Dogs need heart worm medication; accidents can require trips to the vet. Money is one of the biggest causes of stress in a person’s life. So be sure the individual can properly care for their pet and not become stressed out over occasional costs. Food, litter, toys and proper enclosures can quickly pile up. If such matters can be accommodated then the benefits of pet ownership are well worth the investment.

Pets take time, in order to care for them properly. It is not fair to you or the animal to take on additional responsibilities that you don’t have time for. Cats offer an advantage over a dog because they are generally lower maintenance, since it is easier to leave them by themselves overnight and you don’t have to walk them or let them out. A clean litter box and full bowl of food is usually all they need for overnight absences but you might want to reconsider if you go away for long trips.

Sometimes, it is more than health reasons that makes you want to take a pet in, it might be what they bring as your constant companion. The joy that an animal can bring comes from knowing you are loved. If you visit a shelter and find an animal that steals your heart, you can save the animal from death and maybe save your own life in the process. Saving two lives at once is something most pet owners don’t think of initially, but sometimes that is what happens, when they decide to get a pet.

Keep your kitty healthy and excersizing with more information on Cat Care, Cat Health.