Why pets can be good for you

We all know how great it can be to own a pet. Some of them are funny, some sassy and most of them give us unconditional love and cuddles. But did you know that there are proven health benefits to owning a pet?

According to News in Health,  “interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.”

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So basically, owning a pet can decrease your stress and make you happier, and we’re all for it. Here are a three known health benefits to consider.

1. Anxiety fighters

Megan Mueller, co-director of the Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, told CNN  that having a pet with you during an anxious event can help reduce the stress of the event.

According to WebMD , a study of stockbrokers with high blood pressure showed that those who had adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings during periods of stress than those who didn’t. Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health, says that

“people take drugs like heroin and cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog…”

READ: Did you know that pet owners kiss their pets more than their partners?

2. Allergy busters

According to WebMD , studies have shown that children who grow up in houses with furry friends, will have less risk of allergies and asthma.

Researcher James E. Gern, MD, a paediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, analysed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later, and found that “if a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they

had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation.”

3. Heart matters

A study published in 2019 investigated dog ownership and major cardiovascular event survival. They found that people who owner dogs had a better outcome after suffering a heart attack or stroke. Interestingly dog owners who lived alone had a 33% lower risk of death from a heart attack than those who didn’t, and a 27% lower risk of death from a stroke.

Dog owners also tend to get more exercise, which we all know is good for your health, but just walking their dogs every day. What better reason to adopt a pet if not a chance to exercise more?

Scientific benefits aside, pets bring plenty of joy, fun, laughter and love into our lives and homes. We can’t think of any better reason why you shouldn’t consider adopting one.