It’s nice to have furry family members taking space in the comfort of your home. Imagine those cuddly Chow Chow wiggling their tails and lovely Persian cats uttering their meows. They bring life and joy to every household. However, there is more to these pets than meets the eye.
Pet ownership is common among many households. It appears that these individuals and families see the various health benefits of having furry family members at home. They foster physical health, mental wellness, and overall well-being.
Let’s take, for instance, the COVID-19 pandemic. There must be some good reason that pet sales and adoptions have surged amid the crisis. In fact, National Geographic conducted a survey among pet owners. It revealed that pets have helped them cope with the pandemic.
That said, here’s why pet ownership is good for your overall health and well-being:
1. Pets keep you company and ease your loneliness
It’s easy to see single people owning pets in their apartments. The same is true for couples who still don’t have children. One of the primary reasons to have pet ownership is how animals can keep you company. The COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example, where individuals in home isolation have heavily relied on their pets for companionship. Not only do they keep you company, but they can also take your loneliness away. As mentioned above, pets have helped these pet owners rise above the pandemic. And they could not imagine living without their furry family members during this unprecedented time.
2. Pets reduce your stress and make you happy
What’s good about pet ownership is how it can promote your mental health. In fact, science backs the idea that animal therapy, along with medical intervention, can be an antidote to mental health issues. That’s where pet therapy comes into the picture. Studies show that pet interactions can reduce cortisol levels (hormones produced by stress). These furry family members can reduce your stress and make you feel better. They can go as far as reducing psychological distress, anxiety, and depression.
3. Pets offer comfort and emotional support
Pets, especially dogs and cats, can provide comfort and emotional support to humans. Some furry family members are sensitive that they can even sense your fears, worries, frustrations, and loneliness. They will come to you, curl up on your bed beside you, or sit on your lap. Even their presence alone can be emotionally and psychologically therapeutic. In fact, animals have become a source of emotional support during this COVID-19 pandemic. Eighty-seven percent of people who participated in the abovementioned survey said that animals help them emotionally cope with the pandemic.
4. Pets make you physically active
Did you know that dogs can reduce your risk of death by 24 percent? It’s because pet ownership is best for your physical health. Taking care of your furry family members can make you physically active. You must bathe, groom, feed, and walk your pets regularly. You must also have playtime with your dogs. You even have to consider training them or sending them to a dog boot camp. All these activities will keep you physically fit and active. Hence, your pets can lower your risk of heart attack and decrease your blood pressure level.
5. Pets improve your concentration
Pets can boost your focus and concentration, thus improving your cognitive function. As such, pet ownership is ideal if you work from home (WFH) during this pandemic. Having pets around can boost your efficiency and increase your productivity. They can reduce your stress and improve your mood, thus helping you focus on your work. In fact, researchers conducted a study where employees brought their dogs to work. It resulted in a significant reduction in stress and a boost in productivity.
6. Pets help improve your social interaction
It’s a good idea to walk your pets in the neighborhood, parks, and other public places. They allow you to meet with other people and talk about each other’s pets. But what’s good about doing so is how pets can boost your social interaction. A study suggested that people, with their dogs around, look more friendly and trusting. Hence, pets help improve your social interaction, which is good for your health and well-being.
At this point, you now know why pet ownership is good for you. Be sure to consider the incredible benefits of pet ownership discussed above. You’ll quickly learn that these furry family members are best for both your physical and mental health. Ultimately, pet ownership can promote your overall health and well-being.
