Think Pets are Just for Their Looks? Think Again!

Pets aren't just fun to have around the house. All pets provide emotional and physical benefits to humans. They are known to keep us healthy and can be a source of comfort and companionship when nothing else seems to work.

Let's take a look at how they can help you:

Better Physical Health

1. Pets keep you active

Pets give you an easy way to stay active. If you're a dog owner, you know that taking them out for a walk is part of your daily routine. It not only helps your dog stay healthy but also keeps you active. Studies show that people who have a dog walk at least 10,000 steps a day more than those who don't have a canine companion.

2. Improve your cardiovascular health

Pets can prevent heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure. A study found that having a dog can reduce the chances of heart disease in people by 46%. While cats’ purring, grooming, and cuddles can help lower levels of cortisol and reduce your risk of suffering from stroke or heart attacks. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), people without cats have a 40% higher relative risk than non‑cat owners.

3. Improve your respiratory health

Many people believed that if a family had a pet, they were more likely to develop a respiratory illness such as asthma or to become allergic to the pet. However, more and more studies have suggested that many pet owners will experience a reduction in asthma symptoms from having a dog or a cat in the household.

Better Mental Health

4. Reduce stress

Studies show that owning a pet can help reduce stress levels and improve behavioral health. In one study, people who owned a dog had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, than those who did not have a pet.

Pets also help us feel better about ourselves, provide some companionship and act as therapy. Interacting with a pet has been shown to release endorphins which is a feel-good hormone our brain releases when we perform any type of physical activity.

5. They make you more sociable

Social isolation is a big problem in today's social media-driven world. It can take various forms such as loneliness, feeling excluded from society, or not belonging to a specific group.

Having pets is a great way for you to connect and interact with other people. When you walk with your dog, take them to the vet, or buy supplies, there are several chances for you to chat with other fur parents and reduce your feeling of isolation.

6. Prevent loneliness

Pets give you something to love, care for and take care of. They make life better for their owners in several ways. Pets prevent loneliness through companionship, support, and unconditional love.

Pets make people feel loved and needed. They are good listeners and they will be there through tough times. Pets are also great company when you are tired or sick because they are always there to care.

7. Make you feel happier

There is a growing trend of people deciding to have pets as a way to improve their mental health. This has been shown from a scientific perspective, with studies suggesting that animals can increase positive emotions and decrease stress levels.

Pets help people feel happier and more content. They can reduce stress and lower anxiety levels while improving your mood and self-esteem. Pets make a world of difference in how you feel.

The benefits of having a pet are endless. It can be something as simple as making someone feel loved, to something more profound like enhancing mental health or improving neurological function.

Do you have a pet whom you love dearly? Share their picture and tell us why you love them and how much you appreciate them in the comment section below.