A world full of love, compassion, innocence and zero expectations! Such is the world of our four-legged friends! Pets are constant sources of happiness for any animal lover. Whether you have a pet at home or work with animals, hanging out with your furry buddies definitely has more benefits than just companionship.
It has been scientifically proven that living with pet animals have a horde of health benefits- mental, physical and emotional. After all, what can be better than cuddling with your pet at the end of a stressful day!
Read on to know the amazing health benefits of having a pet:
1) Improves Heart Health
Pets not only fill your heart with love, but also make this organ stronger. Owning a pet is linked to decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This in turn reduces risks of cardiovascular diseases. Also, heart attack patients who own pets have better recovery rates and can survive longer, as their pets can help control stress.
2) Keeps You Fit
Having a pet, especially a dog means regular walks and exercise sessions. Pet owners love to go out and spend time with their furry buddies. This in turn helps to lose the extra pounds and become active and fit. Bonus is, Fido loves it too!
3) Improves Emotional and Mental Health
Playing and spending time with your pet can boost up dopamine and serotonin levels, the two ‘happiness hormones’, which in turn reduces stress, calms the mind and improves mood. It can also reduce loneliness and stave of depression, especially in old people or those with mental conditions. That is why pets are used in many therapies.
4) Reduces Blood Pressure
Owning a pet helps to keep blood pressure in check. The realisation that a pet would love and be around even in stressful situations helps a lot in this regard. This is again related to reduction of stress, especially when you pet or cuddle with your pet.
5) Helps Prevent Accidents and Diseases
Animals are known to have an innate sense in detecting diseases or impending dangers. There have been lots of instances where pets have helped to detect, nurse and alleviate many illnesses. Moreover, many pets have saved owners and their family from potential disasters like fire, snakebites, robberies, assaults, etc.
6) Helps Alleviate Pain
Pets have been shown to be especially effective while dealing with chronic pains like arthritis or migraines. A pet keeps you more concentrated on itself with daily routine activities which acts as a distraction from the pain. Moreover, pets have a way of letting you know that they are around to provide you comfort anytime!
7) Improves Social Life
Pets can be instant ice-breakers and help improve your socialization skills. They can help initiate conversations and create friendships with various people while you engage in activities like walking, jogging, dog sports, etc. This also helps your pets to socialize with other pets. The cherry on the cake is, your pet might just get you the date you were dreaming of!
8) Helps in the Development of Children
Children who grow up with pets around them are more expressive emotionally and are better learners. They develop a sense of responsibility and ownership from a very young age while tending to their pets daily. Also, pets are found to be highly beneficial in kids suffering from autism or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Touching and loving a pet is very soothing to them.
9) Helps Fight Allergies and Boosts Immunity
Growing up with a pet means exposure to lots of dirt and allergens in the environment. This means a child would develop a stronger immunity and hence, have lesser allergies and skin infections. A kid growing up with a dog would be 33% less prone to develop allergies and rashes.
10) Provides a Purpose in Life
This is true especially in the case of retired or aged people. Having a pet involves a daily routine and tending to them can give a sense of purpose in life. Pets have a therapeutic effect on sick and aged people. Not only do they provide companionship, but also help to prevent cognitive degeneration.
So, if you don’t own a pet yet, now is the time to get one! Dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, rabbits, birds, cows, goats- all of them are great options to get unconditional love!
Which one are you going to adopt?
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