12 Reasons why Pets are Great for your health
You will be surprised at how beneficial pets are for your health!
Boost mood
Pets are known to boost the owners’ moods; watching them play will make you less stressed and calm. The levels of the stress hormone cortisol go down, while serotonin, a feel-good chemical in your system, goes up.
Lowers hypertension
Having your furry friend around will assist you in controlling your blood pressure. A study done on 240 couples indicated that those living with pets in their homes have lower hypertension and lower heart rates than those who did not have pets.
Better at heart
Living with your pet will increase benefits to your heart. A study done for 20 years indicated that pet owners had 40% more benefits of not having a heart attack than those who did not have pets.
Minimize depression
Pets love unconditionally, and you do not expect a person to love you more than your pet does. Hence this will help you recover or deal with depression. You will feel better when you pet a cat or a dog because you can talk to them if you can, and they will not get tired. Also, having a good time with your pet, like grooming it, walking it, and playing with it, will help you feel better and help you forget some of the things you are thinking about.
It makes you physically fit
Having a pet, either a cat or a dog, will make you active than a person who does not have one—talking to your pet for a daily or a 30-minute walk is beneficial to both of you. A game fetcher in your backyard will also help you in keeping you fit.
Fewer strokes
Even health professionals do not understand the connection between having a cat at home and fewer strokes. But they like it to have a smooth circulation due to many activities with your pet. Also, cats do bring a calming effect to their owners, unlike other animals.
Strong immunity, fewer allergies
Children born in homes with pets rarely develop allergies. This is similar for children who stay on farms with animals. Certain immune system compounds show a stronger immune system that makes children grow healthy.
Cats prevent asthma
It may not make sense because pet allergies are known to trigger asthma. However, researchers have investigated the influences of living with cats together with children. It was found that children growing up in these homesteads are less likely to develop asthma as they grow old.
Childhood development
Emotional development is significant, especially to children, as it ensures they grow into healthy adults. Pets have proven to be of help, especially to children with developmental challenges, for example, attention deficit disorders (ADHD). Children with ADHD focus more when presented in a predictable routine, and pets provide that. For children who have autism, the sensory effect of taking care of a pet tends to be soothing, hence making them have better social skills.
Improved discipline
Studies indicated that teenagers who have diabetes manage their condition better when they oversee taking care of pets, especially fish. Teenagers are known for not being able to adhere to drugs and lifestyle. But when they take care of pets, they will have the discipline of taking care of animals, ensuring feeding schedules are well kept, making them keep track of their blood glucose levels.
Psychological repair
Service dogs are known to do more than helping the physically challenged. For example, organizations like ‘next step service dogs’ train dogs for veterans who have PTSD. The effects of incorporating dogs during the treatment for PTSD on the life of marines include improved sleep, increased emotional regulation, impulse control, and patience, a decrease in emotional numbness and improved capability to show affection, and an increased sense of purpose.
