Value of Pets for Happiness and Health

If you need a calming influence in your life, you may want to think about getting a pet. Pets exert a lot of power over us with their cuteness and need to please us. As a result of their vast influence over humans, research has shown that pet owners have better mental and physical health from the effect of that animal companionship from the pet-human bond.

Mental Health Value of Pets

How many people can resist the adorable appeal of a puppy or kitten even if only an image when shown before you? Seeing that furry face or watching its antics could conjure up happy memories from an earlier time in your life when you had such a pet. Gazing at the sight helps brighten a mood and improve a person’s disposition by coaxing out a smile even if you’re having a bad day.

And yet, this is only a shadow of the positive effect that pets have because once you welcome any age of that pet into your home, you gained a new member of your household that always will be there for you as a furry friend, a confidant that won’t judge you, offer comfort with a snuggle or a lick when you are sad. You can talk to your pets and say things you want others in your family to overhear. Speaking indirectly through your pets to express your feelings can give another food for thought without introducing guilt. By the same token, pets also are keen motivators that can sense loneliness and increase socialization to helping you recover faster when sick.

Likewise, they also have a talent for brightening spirits with how they look at you, wag their tails or rub against you for attention as well as doing something silly that always has the power to make you laugh or at least smile. Regardless of a bad day, pets can work that animal magic to get your mind on something other than yourself. You end up playing with or walking them and before long that stress inside lessens.

Pets, especially dogs, can help build self-confidence. Perhaps, you’re a shy person that has difficulty meeting new people, especially members of the opposite sex. Walking a dog is the perfect way to start a conversation. People gravitate toward animals. Moreover, chances are the people that you will be talking to will have the same interest if meeting walking a dog as well.

Pets are also helpful to end family arguments such as when couples or siblings are fighting. Animals tune into how we feel and sense our emotions. Our pets react with raised voices in a variety of ways to barking, hiding, frightened looks to howling. Since the entire family loves the pet, no one wants to see it upset. In order for the pet to stop, the only solution is ending the argument.

Physical Benefits of Pet Ownership

No one can deny that blood pressure lowers when talking or playing with your pets. There have been health studies that prove even watching fish going nowhere in their fish tank manages to lower blood pressure just as much as talking or petting a dog or cat.

Those with heart problems suffering cardiovascular disease seem more likely to fare better after experiencing a heart attack if they have pets, especially a dog, waiting for them at home. A dog has a calming effect in how it picks up on the stress of the owner to help in that patient’s recovery.

Pet ownership can also reduce obesity from gaining more physical activity from walking your dog compared to owners without pets. If you had a hard time exercising, pets can certainly get you off the sofa and outdoors to drop extra weight and improve your body image.

Though inconclusive, one study found dog ownership makes a difference on male owners with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Benefits of Pet Ownership and Children

 

Having a pet in your home can teach children a variety of important life lessons. They can learn how to be gentle toward pets by petting and handling animals with care.

Furthermore, children can learn responsibility caring for the pet. Depending on the child’s age, he or she might see to it that the pet’s water and food bowl are filled and fresh, walk the dog, change the litter box, etc.

Pets teach children how to love unconditionally. At the same time, pets also teach children another vital life lesson about the natural process of death that comes to all living things.

Pets can have a powerful positive impact on your life. If you were considering pet ownership, then think of all those waiting for homes in shelters that could improve the quality of your life. Your new best friend could be there so please do visit your local animal shelter and give one of those pets a chance for a new start.