Fido and Fluffy are practically members of your family—sure, they have four legs and fur, but you still love them and they love you. They might be a lot of work, but most pet owners would agree they’re worth it. And according to a range of expert organizations, the joys of pet ownership even include better physical and mental health.
Pet can make us healthier? How so?
Doctors and researchers agree that pets, especially dogs, encourage people to be more active and engage in exercise, thus helping them lose weight and lower their blood pressure and cholesterol. Specifically, the American Heart Association identifies dog owners as more likely to get their recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, and owners who walk their dogs every day get an average of 30 minutes more exercise a day.
It’s not just your physical health that can improve from pet ownership. Harvard Medical School explains that, as mammals, humans thrive when they’re secure in their attachment or connection to another creature, and the unconditional love a dog or cat provides can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
In fact, research from the University of Missouri-Columbia has shown that interacting with a dog—even if it isn’t your dog—can stimulate the production of such feel-good hormones as serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, meanwhile suppressing the stress hormone cortisol.
Pet owners not only enjoy a sense of companionship, thus staving off feelings of loneliness, but also are more likely to be social. Dog owners know that when they take Rover for a walk or to the dog park, they have increased chances of interaction with other people who want to pet their dog and ask questions.
Even the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline acknowledges the benefits that pet ownership can have for your mental health, noting that people with pets are less likely to suffer from depression. The routine established from taking care of a pet can add structure to your day and reduce feelings of anxiety.
And for growing children, a pet can be especially beneficial. In addition to learning responsibility from taking care of a dog or cat, children develop a better sense of self-image from their pet’s love and companionship. They feel more secure, and they suffer less separation anxiety when they’re not around their parents.
What about service animals?
Having a four-legged companion can be beneficial for people with disabilities or medical conditions who depend on a trained service animal to help them with specific tasks. Most people might think of a seeing eye dog for a blind person, but service animals can perform a wide range of tasks. People with limited mobility might have dogs that are trained to open doors for them, reach light switches, or retrieve objects. Those with diabetes can have dogs trained to alert them when their blood sugar reaches high or low levels, and people with epilepsy could have a dog trained to detect the onset of a seizure.
It’s important to note, however, that service animals are different from emotional support animals or therapy/comfort animals. While the emotional support animals can be helpful for those who depend on them, they are not trained to perform specific work tasks and are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which dictates that service animals are allowed to accompany their owners in places and situations where dogs typically would be restricted (to the grocery store or to school, for example).
But it’s not just in undertaking certain tasks that service animals are good for their owner’s well-being. According to the American Kennel Club, service animals provide unexpected benefits—they can help a person through the depression they suffer after a permanent disability, and they can rebuild self-esteem by ensuring that person is able to remain independent.
Are there drawbacks?
Remember that the benefits of general pet ownership are for people who already have a natural affection for animals—if you don’t like dogs, then getting a dog isn’t likely to make you healthier. In fact, the money costs, the time needed to care for your pet, the destruction they can cause to your home and belongings, and their heavy shedding might stress you out even further.
People with allergies to dogs and cats will suffer breathing problems and itchy, watery eyes when they’re around them, meaning that they will need to avoid adopting a furry family member unless they choose a hypoallergenic breed (such as a poodle or Yorkshire terrier for dogs or an Oriental shorthair or a Russian blue for cats).
Pets can also carry germs and bacteria, so it’s important to practice good hygiene around them—keep them clean and don’t let them lick you on your mouth (as much as you might want to let them). This is especially true for people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Considering a Pet?
Even if you’re not ready to bring a pet into your home full time, you can still enjoy many of the benefits of pet ownership by spending more time around animals. Consider volunteering with a rescue organization, such as the Anne Arundel County SPCA To learn more, visit aacspca.org or call 410-268-4388.
