The Health Benefits of Pets

Mar 28, 2011
Tracey Bisdee

Child and pet - Tracey Bisdee

It has become a medical fact that stroking a dog can lower your blood pressure, so what other health benefits can your pet give you?

Owning a pet can bring physical, psychological and social benefits for adults and can also give children their first experience of responsibility for another living thing.

From a fish to a pony, children will learn the importance of bonding with the animal and taking care of it.

It has been scientifically proven that adults with conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure and stress can benefit from simply owning a pet; the calming effects of having animals around has been shown to lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure and alleviate stress.

Owning a dog can bring social benefits as well as physical benefits such as exercise and weight maintenance, along with the psychological advantages of companionship, affection and security.

Why Animals Are Beneficial For Your Health

Animals provide a source of comfort for adults and children alike.

With life going through the inevitable ups and downs it can be extremely consoling to have your constant companion to go home to, and whether your pet is a cat, dog or iguana, just taking care of its daily needs will give you a sense of satisfaction and increase your feelings of well-being. Quite simply, an animal can brighten your day and make things seem better by giving you a sense of purpose.

Just curling up with your cat at the end of a long day will bring your pulse rate down, relax you and relieve loneliness; or grabbing the dog lead and heading off to the woods after you finish work can be a great way to unwind and de-stress with your four-legged friend.

Many researchers believe that dogs are by far the most beneficial pet to own, possibly because of the increased exercise, but the human/dog bond does seem to generate a strong psychological protection against stress and illness.

Pets and Allergies

The old school of thinking was that if you or your children suffer from allergies, animals should be avoided at all costs; but more recent research shows that growing up with exposure to animals actually heightens allergy resistance, possibly due to developing a stronger immune system in response to the presence of animal bacteria.

Why Animals Help Combat Depression

It is known that depression results in feeling a lack of purpose, but having the routine of caring for an animal can be a reason for getting up in the morning.

Dogs require daily walks which take you out and about, a good way to get some form of exercise along with some social interaction, and both of these things are known to lift the spirits and make you feel better.

It is always comforting to know that you have a true friend that you can depend on when the chips are down, and animals give their love and loyalty unconditionally, so it is not hard to see why there are around eight million dogs alone in the UK at the present time.