Growing up I went through many pets: a turtle, a goldfish, a guinea pig, an iguana, a ferret, and a cat. The care and affection involved with having a pet is a great learning experience as a child, but there are so many additional benefits to having a pet, both physical and emotional. Currently residing in my home is a five year-old tabby that we’ve had since he was three weeks old. Since we’ve had him, I can speak of so many ways he has impacted me and my family’s life. Here are five health benefits of having a pet, which many of you pet lovers are probably aware of already:
1. Pets Keep You Active: Most pets prefer a schedule. They may be walked a certain time of day. They may be fed a certain time of day. They may be played with several times a day. All these different activities can make you take a much-needed break from what you are doing or help get you out of bed if you haven’t already. Pets help you maintain a routine schedule and keep you up on your feet throughout the day.
2. Pets are Good for the Heart: A number of studies have shown that having a pet can help reduce stress, lowering the chances of a heart attack and other cardiac conditions. In one 20-year study, “people who never owned a cat were 40% more likely to die of a heart attack than those who had,” according to Dr. Brunilda Nazario, a health expert for Women’s Health magazine. Petting an animal and interacting with them may also help you produce a more positive outlook on life as well as makes you feel more calm and relaxed.
3. Pets Build Stronger Immunity: Children growing up around a dog or cat build a stronger immune system and are less likely to develop allergies and asthma. Infants have also been shown to be less likely to develop eczema, a common allergy skin condition that can result in red patches and itchiness, according to Dr. James E. Gern, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studied and analyzed allergic reaction, immunity changes, and reactions to bacteria in infants immediately after birth and one year later.
4. Pets Advance Child Development and Behavior: Children can develop strong bonds with pets. I know with my baby, he loves to talk to our cat and one of his first words was “meow.” Pets may offer unconditional love and companionship leading one to feel comfort and trust in them. In fact, therapists and researchers have reported that children with autism sometimes interact better with pets, which may help build interactions with people.
5. Pets Improves Our Survival Rate: Studies show pets can improve one’s survival rate by improving both mental and medical conditions. In one particular study, “dog owners had a significantly better survival rate one year after a heart attack,” according to Dr. Nazario. Pets have also lessened the risk of other cardiac diseases. There are many other studies that support this point, including one that showed male pet owners had lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than nonpet owner, which directly impacts one’s health.
While pets can provide us with many health benefits, it’s important that we keep our pets healthy too. There are a number of resources available with information to help you help your pet stay happy, safe and healthy.
Wendy Lau is a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer based in New York City. Lau is also a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on online nursing classes for the Guide to Health Education.