Pets keep their people healthier.
When you wake up in the middle of the night and step into a cold pile of pet barf you may take that opportunity to wonder why you have a pet. After all, you spend money on pet food, cat litter, pet sitters and boarding, veterinary care and more. All that just so you can be woken up in the middle of the night by your pet telling you that they would like a midnight snack right now.
After dealing with inconveniences caused by your pet, you may be wondering why you have a pet. Here are the reasons reasons why you have a pet. They keep us healthier.
Pets are love. We now live in a world where stress is more common that friendship or even good manners. Pets reduce stress. Pets have a calming effect on the owner. Just by petting them you can relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. They are a source of comfort and compassion. Pets have a calming effect on owners.
They keep you active. Pets, particularly dogs, don't care that you have had a long day at work and don't feel like going for a walk. Your dog will get you up so you take that walk and increase your exercise.
Benefits for autistic children and other social issues. Pet therapy helps people socialize more. Dogs and horses are claimed to be helpful for stereotypical behaviors in adults and children.
They make you smile and increase your life expectancy. Smiling and laughter has been shown to increase life expectancy and pets help us do both frequently. Being happy is good for your health and pets make us happy.
They help you build a healthy routine. Getting up to feed the pets, taking them for walks, keeps you on a regular, healthy routine.
Increased confidence. Research shows that people with pets have higher self esteem than people without pets.
Beneficial for heart health. The reduction of stress and the increase of activity is good for your heart, eliminating many factors for heart disease.
Our pets actually do a great deal for both our mental and physical well being. Often, the inconveniences of pet ownership such as pet barf, behavior issues and being awakened in the middle of the night, are actually caused by health issues that once addressed can make pet ownership a pure joy. Talk with your veterinarian about any issues your pet may have so you can enjoy all the health benefits of owning a pet.