Health Benefits of Having Pets

There are many reasons why people choose to adopt pets. They are comforting, and they make you feel less lonely. They play with us, and all they give us back is loads of cuddles. Although these are the most convincing reasons to have pets, they also provide us with many health benefits. Here are some of the few health benefits that pets provide us with.

Pets Keep You Up and Moving

When we think of owning a pet, the majority of us think of a dog! It is vital that you take your dog out for a walk, no matter how lazy you are. Even though walking your pet should not be the most significant source of your exercise, it certainly forms one of them. It gives you a reason to move your body, and you should take it by all means.

Pets Reduce Pain

Our furry little friends have the incredible ability to reduce anxiety too. Playing with them and having their presence around us releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain which reduce the effect of anxiety. The less the anxiety, the less the pain. Studies have also shown that people who own pets need comparatively less pain medication than people who don’t. 

Prevents Allergies

Having pets from an early age ensures that children grow up to have better immunity and methods of preventing allergies. Studies show that children with pets in the homes take less sick days from school compared to non-pet owners. People who grow up with furry animals around them will have minimized risks of allergies. To some extent, it also wards off asthma. 

Elevates Your Mood

Coming back home to your pet is amazing. They’ve been sitting at the door all day waiting for you, and they treat you like no one else exists in the world. People with pets have more laughter in their lives. There is a reason why veterans who face PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) own pets. You can read more about PTSD here: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Symptoms and causes. They don’t have to explain what they have been through, but at least someone is there for them, who loves them and cares for them. 

It Helps People Socialise

Having a similar pet to someone, opens an entire door of conversations you can have with them. Back again with the dog example, but imagine taking your door out for a walk. Imagine meeting someone who also has a dog and the amount of conversations you can have. The same can be applied to homely pets, like hamsters and guinea pigs. They form a great medium to help people bond with each other.

Last Words

In conclusion, the main reason people have pets is because they keep you company and will always be by your side until their last breath. As humans, we naturally look for love and compassion but when it comes to having pets, we forget about the other good things that pets can provide us with. Health benefits are one of these ‘good’ things that pets offer us but we neglect it. It is important to know them too.

Image Courtesy: Photo by Andrew S on Unsplash