The benefits of owning a pet: the ultimate cure for many health issues
March 1, 2022
From midnight zoomies to face kisses, pets seem to improve our day in one way or another. Pets make us happy and, at the end of the day, they will be there to comfort us, even when nobody else will.
Along with the joy that these spontaneous behaviors bring us, pets come with many other benefits. These benefits range from improving mental health to increasing responsibility and they even encourage healthy living.
“My dogs benefit me by being there. No matter what’s going on in life, the crazy, good, bad, they’re there to emotionally support me,” said senior Cassidy Conley.
Owning a pet has been proven to be good for mental health. Pets can decrease loneliness, which plays a big role in people with depression. According to a study by Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 85% of people believe that pet interaction reduces loneliness.
Pets can also improve overall mood. A different study by HABRI showed that 87% of family physicians said that their patient’s mood and overall well-being improved just by owning a pet.
Senior Lilyana Schabes said, “Just by being in the same room as my cat, I automatically feel more comfortable and less lonely. He always makes me happy, especially when he makes biscuits.” When a cat kneads something soft, generally a blanket, it can be known as a slang phrase, “making biscuits.”
Along with mental health benefits, pets can also improve physical health. By taking on the responsibility of owning a pet, most owners must make a commitment to physical activities with their pet.
With animals such as dogs, they need to be taken on walks, let outside to use the bathroom, and entertained by playing fetch or other activities.
Senior Livia Apperley said, “I try to take my dogs on walks at least 3 times a week. I have a nice trail by my house, so it makes it pretty convenient.”
Information provided by the CDC states “regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.” By keeping these factors at healthy levels, you are likely to live a healthier life.
Along with these mental and physical health benefits, pets can actually increase responsibility. Pets can be very high-maintenance, so tasks such as cleaning up after your pet, feeding them, taking them to the bathroom, entertaining them, and walking them, need to be completed.
These tasks can help you maintain a routine, which is very important to practice. By adding routine to your day, you can add structure to your day and become more organized.
Overall, of the many benefits of owning a pet you are sure to find joy in some of them. These benefits can improve your daily living, providing you with a better, healthier quality of life.
