Whether you grew up with a pet, or only got one once you were well into adulthood, there’s no denying that pets make our lives better. Even with the mess, the early morning barking, hair shedding all over our clothes and the vet bills, our pets are family, and we love them just the same. And on top of that, experts have found that owning a pet improves our health. This goes for both mental and physical health. Listed below are the examples of how our furry friends make us healthier:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Lower blood pressure
Having a pet is also known to reduce blood pressure. This is especially important for high-risk patients. The unconditional love our pets are known to shower us with is the number one reason behind it.
Prevent allergies
Also, it has been proven numerous times that pets are very good for kids. Not only are kids who own pets generally healthier, but they also suffer from fewer allergies. Pet dander acts like natural immunotherapy which means that kids who grow up with pets are much better off health-wise. Unfortunately, getting a pet as an adult won’t help with your allergies, but if you have kids, it might be a good idea to do it for them.
Teach responsibility
A pet requires a lot of responsibility. From taking them to the vet regularly to researching the best dog supplies online, pets need a lot of care. Kids who grow up with pets learn about responsibility a lot faster than their peers who grow up without one. We get attached to our pets, and when we realize that our irresponsibility can harm them, we do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Healthier lifestyle
If you are someone who works a lot and doesn’t take care of themselves appropriately, it might be a good idea for you to get a pet. Having the responsibility to take care of someone else will also remind you to take care of yourself. You will have to take them out for a walk several times a day, take breaks from work to play with them, and feed them regularly. If you think that it might be too much of a responsibility and commitment, you can always offer to dog-sit a friend’s pet.
Help with socialization
Meeting new people and making friends is not always easy but it is a crucial part of our lives. Having a pet will help you meet other pet owners, talk to them while you’re at a dog park or in the pet store, and let you bond over something you have in common: your pets. You can also arrange pet play dates and go to pet-friendly events together.
So, if you are in a position to have and support a pet, even if it is a small gerbil or a couple of fish, it will bring you a lot of joy. If you decide to get a pet, adoption is always a much better choice than buying, because that way you’ll be doing a noble deed.
