Seven Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health

Pets Can Improve Your Health

If you think that the only benefit of having a pet is a bit of companionship and a snuggle on the sofa after a hard day at work, you are in for a bit of a shock. A good one though.

Not only can a pet improve your physical health, it can also boost your mood, help you recover from depression and offer a respite from social isolation. As well as a whole host of other physical and mental rewards that you will experience if you become a pet owner.

Keep reading to discover eight ways that having a pet can improve your overall health and your life in general.

1. Increase fitness levels

health benefits associated with regular dog walkingIf you choose a dog as your pet of choice, then you will immediately start to notice the health benefits associated with regular dog walking. From improved stamina, to stronger bones and muscles, to an enhanced sense of balance, not to mention the fact that you are likely to lose some weight as well, especially if you were fairly inactive before.

2. Lower cholesterol levels

Statistically speaking, people who own pets have better cholesterol levels than those that don’t. This could be because having a pet encourages you to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle which in turn influences you to make better food choices.

3. Boost your mood

bonding activities with your pet will boost your moodHow often do you come home from work feeling stressed out and overwhelmed? Probably quite often. However, if you had a pet, it would only take a matter of minutes for you to calm down and start to feel more relaxed. A quick play with your dog, a few strokes of your cat, or even just sitting staring at your goldfish swim round and round, all of these bonding activities with your pet will boost your mood.

4. Provide unconditional love

What could be better for your mental health than living with a creature that loves you unconditionally? As long as you feed your pet and take them to a reputable vets such as heart + paw veterinary when they are unwell, the only other thing they ask for is affection, and in return, you will receive unconditional love that knows no bounds.

5. Alleviate depression

depressionIf you experience bouts of depression or anxiety, having a pet can significantly reduce your symptoms as well as the length of time that you feel depressed for.

You can talk to your pets about your worries and concerns for as long as you need to without feeling judged, you can calm yourself down by simply sitting and petting your animal, plus, your pet gives you a reason to get up in the morning.

6. Combat loneliness

If you often feel alone or isolated, a pet is a great way to meet other like-minded individuals. Whether that is by connecting with other dog walkers in the park, joining social media forums for animal-lovers or even by striking up a conversation with someone at your local vets.

7. Help your heart

Help your heartPet owners are less likely to die of a heart-related problem such as a heart attack, heart failure or angina. In fact, one study showed that people who have never owned a cat are 40% more likely to die of a heart attack than those who had. 

Article Submitted By Community Writer

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