Despite the difficulty of pet ownership, Americans continue to acquire dogs and cats at a startling rate. A pet in the home is more than simply a joyful addition to the family; it also serves as a miniature medical cabinet, albeit one with fur. Owning a pet has a profound, long-lasting positive impact on your Health, helping to relieve muscle aches, reduce stress, and even lengthen your life.
Below are the mind-blowing benefits of owning a pet.
1 . They help your heart.
Pets are not only cute and make people smile with their charming faces, but they also keep your ticker in top condition. According to a Study that was published in the journal Circulation, having a pet is associated with both a lower risk of heart disease and a higher survival rate for people who already have the condition. They make you feel good.
Nothing is more soothing than curling up with a furry friend, as any pet owner will attest. In fact, a research from Ohio State University indicated that owning a cat or dog alone was enough to lower a person’s risk of depression or loneliness.
2. They prevent you from putting on weight
Nearly 25% of participants in the same study claimed that having a dog or cat kept them more active, mostly because their pets made them go for walks outside. And this is excellent news for owners’ waistlines because Duke University researchers discovered that walking for just 30 minutes a day, whether with your dog or without, can help prevent weight gain.
3. They relieve your stress.
Does a brutal test or a nerve-wracking job presentation significantly raise your cortisol levels? Spending some quiet time with your dog could put you at ease. A SUNY Buffalo study found that being with your pet can reduce stress levels more than turning to a loved one for solace.
4. They protect children against allergies
Give your child a furry sibling or sister if you want to prevent allergies in the future. Children who lived in households where pets were present had higher levels of microorganisms associated with a lower risk of allergy illness, according to research published in the journal Microbiome. Pets, in the opinion of the study’s authors
Children who are exposed to bacteria and dirt at a young age will develop their immunity more quickly than toddlers without a cat or dog.
5. They lower cholesterol levels.
The American Heart Association lists pet ownership as one of the numerous strategies to reduce cholesterol.
6. They lessen the risk of stroke
Any pet owner benefits from having a pet, but cat owners are particularly well-protected in this area. According to Marty Necker, DVM, veterinary specialist and author of Your Dog: The Owner’s Manual, cat owners are 30 percent and 40 percent less likely, respectively, to experience a heart attack and a stroke.
7. They elevate one’s self-esteem
Although they are unable to communicate verbally, dogs and cats have the remarkable capacity to uplift their owners in a way that no human can. In fact, a study that was published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that people who own pets typically had greater mental health and self-esteem.
8. Pet owners go to the doctor less regularly.
You could always buy a dog or cat if you don’t like fruit. Having an apple a day could prevent visits to the doctor. Having a pet alone can reduce your yearly health visits by almost 15%, according to a study that was published in Social Research.
9. They help people get over their addictions.
Stress and grief are common causes for former addicts to relapse after becoming sober and clean. But the professionals at Promises Treatment Center suggest that this is less likely when a pet is present.
