Staying Healthy and Well With Our Four Legged Friends

Why having a pet is good for your health?

Having a pet can positively impact not only your health but also your lifestyle.

Couples who own a pet together have lower blood pressure and interact with each other more than couples who do not own a pet.

Studies show that pet owners are more likely to get to know people in their neighborhood than those who do not have a pet.

Pets contribute to overall good MENTAL HEALTH by reducing loneliness and isolation. They also help in reducing depression symptoms and assisting their owners in feeling confident in their skin no matter what.

Our Furry Friends Can Improve Our Health

No doubt about it: Animals can make people feel good. And your favorite ones can also help you stay well.  You may be surprised at just how many ways a pet can improve your health.

It only takes a few minutes with a dog or cat or watching fish swim to feel calmer and less stressed. Your body goes through physical changes in that time that make a difference in your MOOD. The level of cortisol, a stress hormone, lowers. And serotonin, a feel-good chemical your body makes, rises.

You still must watch your weight and exercise. But having a pet can help you manage your BLOOD PRESSURE. In one study of 240 married couples, pet owners had lower blood pressure and lower heart rates during rest than people who didn’t have a pet. Another study showed that when children with high blood pressure petted their dog, their numbers improved.  

You watch what you eat and work out. If you also have a pet, there could be a cholesterol perk. People who have pets tend to have BETTER LEVELS OF CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES, compared to people who don’t. The reason for that isn’t clear. Part of it could be the more active lifestyle that comes with having pets. 

People with cats and dogs may have some HEART BENEFITS.  In a 20-year study, people who never owned a cat were 40% more likely to die of a heart attack than those who had. Another study found that dog owners had a better survival rate one year after a heart attack. Overall, pet owners are less likely to die of cardiac diseases, including heart failure.

No one loves you more unconditionally than your pet. It could even help you deal with and recover from DEPRESSION. Your pet will listen to you talk for as long as you want to talk. You’ll probably feel calmer when you pet a cat or dog. And taking care of an animal —  walking it, grooming it, playing with it — takes you out of yourself and helps you feel better about the way you spend your time.

If you have a dog, you’re probably more active than someone who doesn’t have one. A daily 30-minute walk with your pooch helps keep you moving. Two 15-minute walks, one in the morning and one in the evening, do the same thing. Add in a game of fetch in the back yard with your dog and you’ll be even more fit.

When you work out with your pet, you’ll both benefit. Shine a flashlight on the wall or wave a string while you do a step AEROBICS ROUTINE. Your cat will get a workout chasing the light, and you’ll be entertained. You might even find yoga classes for people and their dogs, called doga. Call your local gym or ask your vet about it.

One key to a healthy MIND is to stay ENGAGED WITH OTHERS. And pet owners tend to want to talk with other pet owners. A dog is a conversation waiting to happen. People, especially those with dogs, will stop and talk with you when they see you walking your pet. Go to a dog park to socialize with other owners while your pets play.

When people grow up in a home with a dog or cat they are less likely to develop allergies. The same is true for people who’ve lived on a farm with large animals. Higher levels of certain immune system chemicals show a stronger immune system, which will help keep them healthy as they get older.

Walking your dog counts as a weight-bearing exercise that STRENGTHENS YOUR BONES and the muscles around them. It also lets you spend time in the sun, which provides vitamin D.

Got a cat? Watch how many times they stretch every day, and when they do, you do it too. If you can, get down on the floor and go through the same motions. If you can’t get on the floor, sit on a chair and follow along to stretch your upper body.