All About Pets 
There are many reasons why people have pets. Most people have a furry friend greet you when you come home from a hard day. Or when you need a friend when going outdoors. Some have their pets help them with their medical needs. Whatever it may be there are many benefits of pets.
Mental Health
The major health benefit of having a pet is that they can reduce stress. A cat purring on your lap can decrease stress and anxiety faster than most advertised methods.
Interacting with pets has been shown to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in humans. Playing with your dog or cat can help you elevate your levels of serotonin and dopamine, which both trigger your sense of calm and relaxation. This stress reduction can have effects on overall health, including:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- Improved immune system function
Pet Companionship
This is probably the number one reason why people get pets and that is having someone home that is always happy to see you and loves you unconditionally.
The American Heart Association’s survey found that 95% of pet owners rely on their pets for stress relief and 68% as a primary way to help them destress.
This helps you forget your stressful day and can build self-confidence. This can also reduce anxiety and relieve loneliness. Not to mention that they can provide laughter as pets do some weird things.
Physical Health Benefits
Your pet can help you exercise more and help you become more active. Just like you, your dog needs exercise. Taking them to the dog park, playing fetch, or going for a hike is a great way to get them to exercise. An article that VCA Hospitals posted shows that over 50% of dogs are overweight.
Regular exercise helps burn excess calories, preventing:
- Diabetes: Regular physical activity helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels in both humans and pets.
- Obesity: Exercise plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy weight for dogs.
Lose Weight
If you are following the advice above and exercising with your pet, you will likely notice that they are helping you lose or maintain your weight. A study by Scientific Reports found that dog owners exercise four times more than those without dogs. As you can see, your pet will help you stay motivated to keep an active lifestyle.
Your pet can also become heavy without a proper diet and exercise. Pet obesity is a major health concern and can impact your pet’s overall health and longevity.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the United States are classified as overweight.
Social Health Benefits
People are more likely to interact socially when they have a shared topic to discuss. In an American Pet Products Association (APPA) poll, 77% of pet owners said that having a pet has improved their social contacts. Making connections with people over their dogs might lead to friendships or even romantic possibilities.
This isn’t just for people who own dogs. Cat owners can tell others about their experiences, or their advice, can also help people connect. According to studies, 74% of cat owners believe that having a pet has increased their sense of community.
Internal Health
Stress and anxiety can cause people to have high blood pressure which can lead to other major health concerns. By petting your pet for a few minutes a day can help you lower your blood pressure and help you stay calmer during a stressful time.
According to a survey conducted by Wakefield Research for the American Heart Association’s Healthy Bond for Life initiative, 95% of pet owners rely on their pets for stress relief.
Pets have also helped people lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are indicators of heart disease. Recently studies have shown that people who have adopted a dog have significantly reduced their cholesterol in a matter of five months.
Pet Ownership For Older Adults
Owning a pet has been proven to provide major health benefits for people 65 years of age and older. According to a study that was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, individuals 65 and older who own pets see the doctor less frequently than those who don’t.
Some of the physical and mental benefits you receive as an elder:
- Pets provide companionship
- Ease the feelings of loneliness
- Pet interaction increases oxytocin levels (bonding hormone)
- Decreases cortisol levels (stress hormone)
- Enhance the quality of life
Diabetes Alert
Diabetes Alert Dogs (DADs) are service dogs that have received specialized training and can recognize changes in a diabetic’s blood sugar levels. These dogs are trained to identify potentially harmful consequences of excessive glucose levels. They detect chemical alterations in their handler’s body during periods of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) by using their sensitive sense of smell. People who have been diagnosed with severe type 2 diabetes or type 1 diabetes are matched with these pets.
An intriguing statistic on the efficacy of DADs is shown in a journal Diabetes Care which shows trained diabetic alert dogs could correctly identify 83% of handlers’ hypoglycemia spells. This high degree of accuracy shows how these service animals have the potential to greatly enhance the safety and quality of life for diabetics.
Service Dog (PTSD)
The use of a service dog can be beneficial for people suffering from PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. These trained dogs have several benefits that can significantly improve people’s quality of life. Service dogs are taught to perform certain duties:
- Providing a physical barrier in densely populated places.
- Waking their handler from bad dreams
- Alerting them when their anxiety starts to increase
Studies have demonstrated that interacting with dogs can release a variety of neurotransmitters into the brain that aid in the release of cortisol, which reduces stress. The research found that veterans with PTSD who were paired with service dogs showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, with a 22% greater decrease in symptoms.
Children Owning A Pet
Usually, you would think that having a pet around the house would increase children’s allergies. However, a study by James E. Gern from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown that having a pet can lower your children’s risk of allergies by 33%. Which can help lower the chance of developing asthma.
Not only having a pet around children can help with allergies, but this can help teach kids important life lessons. Such as:
- Responsibility
- Empathy
- Nurturing
- Boost self-esteem
Research has shown that kids who own dogs have elevated levels of emotional intelligence and social connection. Pets can offer company and comfort, which is especially helpful for kids who are anxious or in stressful situations. Having a pet at home can have a big impact on a child’s general physical, mental, and social well-being.
Pet Can Improve Learning Disorders
It’s common for kids with learning disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to connect with animals rather than adults. Pets are calm and can help lower the tension and anxiety in the room. Playing with a pet can help children stay focused and attentive throughout the day.
94% of parents of children with autism who had pets reported that their child had bonded with the pet.
Having a pet in the house with a child gives them opportunities to learn important life skills such as responsibility, compassion, and empathy. Caring for a pet teaches children to consider the needs of others and to develop a sense of duty. This responsibility can foster a positive self-image and boost self-esteem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is having a pet good for your health?
Having a pet can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, improve heart health, and increase physical activity.
What are the advantages of having a pet?
Pets provide companionship, reduce loneliness, offer emotional support, encourage physical activity, and help develop responsibility and empathy.
Does having pets help your immune system?
Yes, pets can boost the immune system, lower the risk of allergies, and improve overall immune function.
What are some benefits to owning a pet?
Benefits include improved mental health, increased physical activity, enhanced social interactions, and reduced feelings of loneliness and stress.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet?
Advantages: Companionship, reduced stress, increased physical activity, and improved social life.
Disadvantages: Time commitment, financial cost, potential allergies, and responsibilities.
What are the mental health benefits of owning a pet?
Having a pet can improve your mental health by lowering stress, reducing feelings of loneliness, and offering companionship.
How can owning a pet benefit my physical health?
According to studies, people who keep pets have better physical health, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk of heart disease.
Are there any specific health conditions that can be improved by having a pet?
Research has demonstrated that having a pet can help with PTSD, ADHD, autism, and even some allergies, highlighting the many health advantages of pet ownership.
