65% of American households own at least one pet. If you’re in the minority, you might be considering joining the ranks.
These furry companions are so loved that they’re usually treated as another family member. The bonds you’ll form will be unbelievable and irreplaceable.
But did you know owning pets is also good for your health? In this article, we’ll discuss 7 amazing benefits of having a pet.
1. They Can Help You Become More Active
If you live a sedentary lifestyle, it can be easy to fall into a rut. When you have a pet, you have to get them out for exercise, so you reap the benefits of exercise, too.
The modern world has many demands, and we often don’t take time to think about our own wellbeing. As a result, things like exercise fall by the wayside.
When you adopt a dog into your family, this forces you to get some regular physical activity into your life. In fact, a study found dog owners were 54% more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than other adults.
It’s true that dogs require a lot of care and attention, but taking them out for walks won’t feel like a chore. It’ll force you to get a breath of fresh air while getting some light exercise in.
2. They Can Boost Your Immune System
Previously, it was believed that if you had allergies to pets, you should avoid adopting them so your symptoms wouldn’t get exacerbated. But studies have found that to be untrue.
Having a dog around infants can actually help their immune systems. So if you’re worried about your children having allergies to dogs, start them young. Since animals aren’t always their cleanest, the allergens and dirt on them can help with building your children’s immune systems early on.
The later you get the pets, the more ineffective they’ll be at decreasing allergy development. So if you’re at a crossroads in life and don’t know which one to go for first, it may be wise to adopt a pet and then have children.
3. They Help Teach Responsibility
Whether it’s for your kids or for you, pets can teach you to be responsible for another living being.
If you already have children, they’ll learn how hard it is to care for a creature, and will understand more about responsibility. If you’re on the fence about having children, you can get a brief look at what it’d be like to have a child by having a pet first.
Not only do pets teach responsibility, but they also help you learn how to be patient and compassionate. These are key traits that’ll benefit you in life. If your children learn in the beginning stages of their lives how not to be selfish, this can prevent many issues from arising in the future.
4. They Can Help with Stress and Anxiety
Everyone goes through periods of stress and anxiety, so even if you aren’t diagnosed with anything, having a pet can be beneficial in managing your mental health. After a long and stressful day at work, coming home to a happy pet that gives you unconditional love can do wonders for your state of mind.
Also, just as there are guide dogs for the blind, there are emotional support dogs for people who suffer from issues such as PTSD and anxiety disorders. If you have a mental health condition that you feel would be alleviated by an emotional support dog, you can apply for one and bring it to most places with you.
5. You’ll Have More Social Interactions
If you’re shy and introverted, it may be hard for you to get out there and meet people. Maybe you have niche interests and find it difficult to make friends in your local area.
When people have pets, it brings people of all different backgrounds together and unites them with one common interest: their furry friends. You can take your dog out on a walk and strike up a conversation with someone while doing so. Or you can join a group for cat lovers in your area where they get together for coffee every week.
There are many social doors of opportunity that open when you bring a pet into your life!
6. You’ll Get Emotional Support
For those of you who live alone, you may struggle with your emotions at times, especially if you don’t have many friends who can come over and comfort you. When you have a dog waiting for you at home, you can cuddle up to it and vent all you want. They’re great listeners!
Pets can also be very intuitive and know when you need them by your side. If you’re going through a tough time, their unconditional love can get you through it.
7. They Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
When handling stressful situations, your blood pressure can rise. In some cases, you can even have hypertension or high blood pressure.
People who own pets tend to have a lower blood pressure than those who don’t. So if your health isn’t the greatest and you have issues with hypertension, getting a pet can help with that.
Reap the Benefits of Having a Pet
If you’ve been on the fence about getting a pet, maybe all the above reasons will be the driving force for you to get one now. With so many benefits of having a pet and very little negatives, your life is sure to improve once you get a furry friend!
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