How Positively Pets Can Affect Your Health

Pets are incredible members of your family. They bring happiness to your lives and bring a smile to everyone’s faces. Though you might feel it is a commitment to own a pet at home because of added responsibilities such as visiting a vet regularly, checking your pet’s condition or preventing them from dog ear infection, or allocating some budget for your companion’s proper nutrition or grooming, pet ownership provides a great opportunity to improve your health as well. Some studies have reported that having pets at home has a wide array of health benefits. Whether it is your furry cat, companion dog or a little goldfish in a bowl, a pet prescription can be an answer to affect your health in a very positive way.

Stress Relievers

Interacting with pets can make you feel great every day. Pets are stress soothers. They can help you cope with whatever stress or discomfort. It is believed that petting or caressing a pet can improve your health by releasing relaxation hormones in the body. This hormone, called endorphins or “happy hormone”, is mainly responsible for bringing a feeling of happiness and reducing tension and pain. So, if you wish to fight the daily dose of stress you are getting, just be around with pets.

Exercise Buddies

Having an active pet at home can boost your physical activity. This situation is true in the case of owning a dog. Your Fido is a playful creature that may require your time and energy. Dogs need to be fit every time, so morning stroll around the neighborhood or playing Frisbee at the park can help them develop physically. When you become engaged in your pets’ active lifestyle, you then realize how excellent they are as exercise partners. This activity may tend to develop as a routine, which is beneficial as it pushes you out of a sedentary lifestyle.

Heart Health Advocate

There is a science of pet ownership, and it can be related to giving you a better cardiovascular condition. Being around pets has certain positive attributes to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in humans. It is believed that a chemical released by the body called serotonin is triggered when we interact with pets or petting an animal. This hormone affects our heart positively by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It may also improve your heart rate. Imagine how your pet may even save you from a heart attack.

A Nonjudgmental Companion

Pets don’t care about your face value or status in society. They are nonjudgmental creatures and very loyal to their masters. With this, they are also an excellent companion in your times of depression and coping. The presence of pets at home can ease the loneliness you feel inside, as these adorable creatures can be an additional support system. Interacting with them can bring a smile, make you feel good, and relieve some discomfort you are going through. They don’t just have mood-enhancing benefits but provide us with a stronger sense of meaning and belongingness as well.

Self-esteem Boosters

An incredible thing about interacting with pets is the positive vibes it brings to your emotion. Pets don’t judge you for who you are. They don’t have any self-interest or hidden agenda. With this, your pets are a perfect partner to boost your self-esteem or confidence. Having pets around can improve your confidence by offering unconditional love and support. We don’t underestimate the benefits of human interaction, but your pet can be a great source of strength whenever you are facing personal problems. Pets can accept you for whoever you are and genuinely find value to whatever you do.

Improves social side of life

Pet ownership won’t only create a special bond between the owner and the pet, but it also impacts how you communicate or interact with other people. Imagine how you can gain more friends with the same interest just by having pets at home. This is accurate in the case of having dogs at home. Dogs love to walk around the neighborhood or play at the park. This type of activity is a perfect opportunity for you to interact with other dog walkers or owners. You may also participate in some organizations or clubs that foster awareness related to pet ownership. You can mingle with other people and gain more friends through this platform.

Final Thoughts

Pets are not just a mere member of the family; they are already a family. They don’t just bring happiness or put a smile on your face, but they offer a wide array of health benefits that you are probably experiencing right now. That is why as responsible pet owners, our goal is to ensure that your pets are safe all the time and provide them with the special attention and unconditional love they truly deserve.

About the Author

Kirsten Heggarty
Website | + posts

Kirsten created The Pet Handbook with the aim of sharing her knowledge about pets, pet food, healthy habits, and more. All of her advice is based on years of her own experience with her pets, and feedback that she has received from grateful readers about her tips. If you want to know more please read the About Me page.