The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets

The benefits of pets

Most pet owners are aware of the immediate joy that comes from sharing their lives with companion animals. But many of us are still unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can come with the pleasure of cuddling with a furry friend. It is only recently that studies have begun to scientifically investigate the benefits of the human-animal bond.

Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to people and our behavior and emotions. For example, dogs can understand many of the words we use, but they are even better at interpreting our tone, body language and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look you in the eye to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you're thinking and feeling (and to find out when the next trip or treat is coming up, of course).

Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, relieve loneliness, promote exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. By caring for an animal, children can grow up more safely and actively. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. But perhaps most importantly, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life.

Every pet can improve your health

While it's true that people with pets often experience greater health benefits than those without pets, a pet doesn't necessarily have to be a dog or a cat. A rabbit can be ideal if you are allergic to other animals or have limited space but still want a furry friend to cuddle with. Birds can promote social interaction and keep your mind sharp if you're an older adult. Snakes, lizards and other reptiles can be exotic companions. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower your heart rate.

Studies have shown that:

Pet owners are less likely to sufferdepressionthan people without livestock.
People with pets dolow bloodpressurein stressful situations than people without pets. One study even showed that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure dropped significantly within five months.
Playing with a dog, cat or other pet can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calms and relaxes.
Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than people without pets.
Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without pets.
Pet owners over 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctor than people without pets.

One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that pets fulfill the basic human need for touch. Even hardened criminals in prison show long-lasting changes in their behavior after interacting with pets, with many of them experiencing mutual affection for the first time. Stroke, cuddle or otherwise touch a loving animal boxquickly soothe and calm downwhen you are stressed or anxious. Companionship with a pet is also possiblesoothes the loneliness, and most dogs are a great incentive for healthy exercise, which can significantly improve your mood and relieve depression.

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How pets can improve your lifestyle

Adopting healthy lifestyle changes plays an important role in alleviating itsymptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder and PTSD. Caring for a pet can help you make healthy lifestyle changes by:

Increased exercise.Taking a dog for a walk, hike, or run are fun and rewarding ways to care for himhealthy daily exercisein your planning. Research has shown that dog owners are much more likely to meet their daily exercise needs – and exercising every day is good for the animal too. It will deepen the bond between you, eradicate most behavioral problems in dogs and keep your pet fit and healthy.

To provide companionship.Friendship can help prevent illness and even add years to your life, while isolation and loneliness can cause symptoms of depression. Caring for an animal can make you feel needed and wanted and can take the focus off your problems, especially if you live alone. Mostly dog andcat ownerstalk to their pets, some even use them to solve their problems. And there's nothing like solitude like coming home to a wagging tail or a purring cat.

Helps you meet new people.Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners, helping you get started and maintain themnew friendships. Dog owners often stop and talk to each other during walks, hikes or at a dog park. Pet owners also meet new people at pet stores, clubs and training courses.

Reduces anxiety.The company of an animal can provide comfort and helprelieve anxiety, and build trust for people who want to get out into the world. Because pets tend to live in the moment (they don't worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow), they can help you become more aware and appreciate the joy of the present.

Adds structure and routine to your day.Many pets, especially dogs, need a regular diet and exercise schedule. Having a consistent routine keeps an animal balanced and calm, and it can work for you too. Whatever your mood - depressed, anxious or stressed - one plaintive look from your pet and you have to get out of bed to feed, exercise and care for him.

[Read: Dealing with depression]

Provides sensory stress relief.Touch and movement are two healthy ways to do thatdeal with stress quickly. Petting a dog, cat or other animal can lower blood pressure and quickly make you feel calmer and less stressed.

Get a dog, lose weight

A number of studies have linked dog ownership to weight loss:

A year-long study at the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago found that walking an overweight dog helped both the animals and their owners shed unwanted pounds. Researchers found that the dogs provided support in the same way as a human training partner, but with greater consistency and without any negative impact.
Another study from the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction found that public housing residents who walked therapy dogs for up to 20 minutes five days a week lost an average of 14.4 pounds per year without changing their diet.
A third study, conducted by dog food manufacturer Mars Petcare, found that people with a dog walked 30 minutes more per week than before they had a dog.

The benefits of pets for older adults

In addition to providing essential companionship, owning a pet can play an important rolehealthy agingby helping you:

Find meaning and joy in life.As you get older, you lose things that took up your time and gave you purpose in life. You may be retiring or your children may be moving far away. Caring for a pet can bring joy and help boost your morale, optimism, and self-esteem. Choosing to adopt a pet from a shelter, especially an older pet, can increase your sense of satisfaction knowing that you have given a home to a pet that might otherwise have been euthanized.

[Read: Cultivating Happiness]

Stay connected.As you get older, maintaining a social network is not always easy.RetirementIllness, death and moving can take away close friends and family members. And it can become more difficult to make new friends. Pets, especially dogs, are a great way for older adults to start a conversationMeet new people.

Boost your vitality.You can overcome many of the physical challenges that come with aging by taking good care of yourself. Dogs, cats and other petsencourage play, laughter and exercise, which can help strengthen your immune system and increase your energy.

How pets help adults with Alzheimer's disease or dementia

As part of the diseaseAlzheimer's patientscan exhibit a variety of behavioral problems, many of which are related to an inability to cope with stress.

Research at the University of California at Davis concluded that Alzheimer's patients experience less stress and have fewer anxiety attacks when there is a dog or cat in the house.
Pets can be a source of positive, nonverbal communication. The playful interaction and gentle touch of a well-trained, docile animal can help calm an Alzheimer's patientreduce aggressive behavior– just as it can easily be exposed to clear aquariums or aquariums.
In many cases, a patient's problem behavior is a response to the primary caregiver's stressed response. Pets can relieve caregiver stress. Cats or caged animals may be more suitable than dogs, which generally require more care and can increase the burden of someone already caring for an Alzheimer's patient.

The benefits of pets for children

Children who grow up with pets are not only less likely to develop allergies and asthma, but many also learn responsibility, compassion and empathy from owning a dog or cat.

[Read: Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids]

Unlike parents or teachers, pets are never critical or give orders. They are always loving, and their mere presence in the home can give children a sense of security. Having an ever-present pet can helpalleviate separation anxiety in childrenwhen mom and dad aren't there.
Having the love and companionship of a pet can make a child feel important and develop a positive self-image.
Children who are emotionally attached to their pets are better able to build relationships with other people.
Studies have also shown that pets can help calm down hyperactive or overly aggressive children. Of course, both the animal and the child must be trained to behave decently towards each other.
A pet can help develop a young and expanding mind by teaching a childempathyand understand. Children can talk to their pets without fear of rejection, helping them build their confidence and even their vocabulary.
Keeping even a small pet in a cage, such as a guinea pig or hamster, is a great way to teach a child responsibility.

Just like adults, children can benefit from playing with a pet. It can be a source of rest and relaxation, but also a source of stimulation for the brain and body. Playing with a pet can even be a way for a child to learn. It can stimulate a child's imagination and curiosity. For example, the reward for training a dog to perform a new trick can teach children the importance of perseverance. Caring for a furry friend can also bring another benefit to a child: immense joy.

Children with learning disabilities and other challenges

Some children withautism or other learning disabilitiesare better with pets than people. Autistic children often rely on nonverbal cues to communicate, just as animals do. And learning to bond with a pet first can even help an autistic child in his interactions with people.

Pets can help children with learning disabilities learn to regulate stress and self-soothe, leaving them better equipped to overcome the challenges of their disorder.
Playing and exercising with a dog or cat can help a child with learning difficulties stay awake and alert all day long. It can also be a good antidote to stress and frustration caused by the learning disability.
Learning to ride a horse at a local riding school can help boost the self-esteem of disabled children and put them on a more equal level with children without disabilities.

Owning a pet is a big commitment

Despite all the benefits, it is important to remember that a pet is not a panacea for psychological problems. Owning a pet is helpful and comfortingwhenfor those who love and appreciate pets and have the time and money to keep a pet happy and healthy. If you are simply not an “animal person,” owning pets will not provide you with any health benefits or improve your life.

Even if you love animals, it's important to understand what caring for a pet entails. Owning a pet is a big commitment that will last the entire life of the animal, perhaps 10 or 15 years in the case of dogs. And at the end of this union, you will be faced with the grief and sorrow that comes with the loss of a beloved companion.

[Read: Coping with losing a pet]

Other disadvantages of owning a pet include:

Pets cost money. Food bills, veterinary care, licensing, grooming costs, toys, bedding, boarding costs and other maintenance costs can add up. If you are unemployed or elderly with limited steady income, it can be difficult to afford the costs of pet ownership.

Pets need time and attention. As any dog owner will tell you, there is nothing therapeutic about coming home to a dog that has been cooped up alone in the house all day. Dogs need daily exercise to stay calm and balanced; most other pets require at least daily care and attention.

Owning a pet can slow down some of your social activity. A dog should only be left alone for a limited period of time. Training your dog allows you to take him with you to visit friends, run errands, or sit outside a coffee shop, for example, but you can't plan a weekend away without caring for your pet first.

Pets can be destructive. Every pet can have an accident at home from time to time. Some cats are sensitive to shredding upholstery, other dogs to chewing on shoes. Although training can help eradicate negative, destructive behavior, it often persists in animals left alone for long periods of time without exercise or stimulation.

How do you find the perfect pet?

If you've decided that owning a pet is for you, congratulations: you're about to open your life to a unique and rewarding relationship. Although people with pets tend to be happier, more independent, and safer than people without pets, it's important to choose the type of pet that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

[Read: Choosing the Right Dog]

Talk to other members of your household and agree on which qualities you want in a pet and which you would rather avoid.

Lifestyle considerations that influence your choice of a pet

Small outdoor activity. If you spend most of your time at home, consider pets that would like to stay with you in that environment. Maybe you like to play or cuddle with a cat or rabbit; take a leisurely walk with an older dog; see fish or reptiles; or talking or singing with a bird.

High activity level. If you are more active and enjoy daily outdoor activities, especially walking or running, an energetic dog may be right for you. Canine companions thrive on outdoor exercise and keep you active.

Small children and the elderly. Families with young children or the elderly living in the home should consider a pet's size and energy level. Puppies and kittens are usually very active, but delicate creatures that must be handled with care. Large or boisterous dogs can accidentally injure or knock over a small child or adult who is unsteady on their feet.

Other livestock. Think of the lasting happiness and ability to adapt the pets you already have. While your cat or dog may enjoy having an animal friend to play with, a pet that has had exclusive access to your attention may resent sharing it.

Homely environment. If a nice, tidy home, free of pet hair, occasional muddy footprints and "accidents" is important, then an off-leash dog or long-haired cat may not be the best choice. You may want to choose pets that are confined to their habitat, such as fish, birds, hamsters or reptiles.

Landscaping concerns. With certain pets, your landscape will suffer. Many dogs will be tempted to dig holes in your lawn, and dog urine can leave yellow stains. Some say that unaltered females do the most damage.

Time commitment. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember that you are making a commitment that will last the life of the pet – perhaps 10, 15 or 20 years with a dog or cat; no less than 30 years or more with a bird. Of course, you might consider adopting an older dog or cat from a shelter or rescue group and giving a deserving animal a loving home for its senior years.

Ultimately, when choosing a pet, be honest with yourself about the lifestyle you enjoy and the type of pet you want to care for. If you're unsure about caring for a larger animal, start small and place a fish or smaller animal in a cage. See how it fits and go from there.

Shelter and rescue animals

Whether they are mixed breeds or purebred dogs and cats adopted from a shelter or rescue group, they make excellent pets. Most of the time, pets end up in a shelter through no fault of their own. It's possible that the owner has died or moved to a place that doesn't allow pets, or the pet may have simply been abandoned by irresponsible owners who bought it on a whim and later become unable or unwilling to keep it. to care for them properly. If a shelter or rescue animal exhibits aggressive behavior, it is usually euthanized rather than adopted.

Rescue groups try to find suitable homes for unwanted or abandoned dogs, cats and other pets, many of whom come from shelters where they would otherwise have been euthanized. Volunteers usually care for the animals until they can find permanent homes. This means that care providers are often very familiar with a pet's personality and can advise you on whether the pet is a good fit for your needs.

By adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue organization, you are not only giving a deserving pet a home, but you are also likely saving an animal's life.

Avoid puppies sold in pet stores and online

Puppy mills are like dog factories that throw away puppies to make money, ignoring the needs of the puppies and their mothers. The mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages or kennels with little or no personal attention or quality of life. When mom and dad's dogs can no longer breed, they are thrown away or euthanized. Dogs from puppy mills are often sick and not socialized.

There are also more than 10,000 puppy mills in the United States alone, usually sold online or through classified ads, flea markets and pet stores. In fact, the majority of puppies sold in pet stores and online come from puppy mills — even when the sellers promote themselves as "responsible" breeders or promise "home-raised" puppies.

To help break this cycle of cruelty, you can choose to adopt your next pet from a shelter or rescue group, or by just purchasing a dog from a responsible breeder who will show you where the puppy – and its mother – is born and raised.

Bron:The human society of the United States

Choose between a dog or a cat

Dogs and cats are the most common pets. Although you occasionally see someone walking a cat on a leash or a dog using the litter box, the needs and natural behaviors of dogs and cats are generally different:

Inside or outside

Cats:Domestic cats sometimes enjoy being outside, but they can also run around.

Dogs:Dogs need daily exercise and walks outside. Even if you have a large, fenced backyard where they can run and go to the toilet, they still need a daily walk.

Education

Cats:Essential cat training usually involves using the litter box and not scratching posts. Cats are resistant to training.

Dogs:Dogs need much more exercise than cats. Most dogs like exercise because it gives them something to do. They also have an innate desire to please their people.

Personality

Cats:If you like peace and independence, combined with playfulness, a cat is more likely to satisfy you.

Dogs:If you want to be greeted lavishly every time you come home, a dog is a better choice.

[Read: Choosing the Right Cat]

Conviviality

Cats:Cats are often content to be left alone (unless, of course, you prefer them to leave you alone).

Dogs:Dogs tend to thrive on interacting with people and other dogs.

Alternatives to pet ownership

If you don't have the time, money, or ability to own a pet full-time, there are still ways you can experience the health benefits of interacting with animals. Even short stints with a dog or cat can benefit both you and the animal.

For example, you can ask to walk the neighbor's dog, orvoluntarilyat an animal shelter. Most animal shelters or rescue groups welcome volunteers to help care for homeless pets or assist with adoption events. Not only will you help yourself, but you will also help socialize and exercise the animals, making them more adoptable.

Some animal shelters and rescue groups offer pet "rental" programs. Dogs and cats available for adoption can be taken for walks or play dates. You can also temporarily foster an animal until a permanent home can be found, or to decide whether the animal is suitable for you.

A number of different organizations offer specialized trainingtherapy dogand cats to visit children's hospitals, nursing homes, nursing homes, hospice programs, shelters and schools. During these visits, people are invited to pet and stroke the animals, which can improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

Last updated or revised on February 5, 2024

The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets - HelpGuide.org (2024)