Paws and take notice
Odds are, you have a pet – most households in the United States have at least one. Why have a pet? There are many reasons, but more and more people are discovering the health benefits of furry, finned, or feathered friends.
Pets can decrease your:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Triglyceride levels
- Feelings of loneliness
Pets can increase your:
- Opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
- Opportunities for socialization
You told us
We asked how pets make your life better - Here's what you told us
Pets are more common in households with children – pets actually outnumber children in American households. There are more than 51 million dogs, 56 million cats, 45 million birds, 75 million small mammals and reptiles, and uncounted millions of aquarium fish. In an American Animal Hospital Association survey in 2002, 92 percent of respondents said they derive health benefits from their pets.
Benefits of the bond
Many studies have shown that while we take care of our pets, our pets take care of us.
- Pets can lower blood pressure. A State University of New York at Buffalo study found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those who didn't own a pet.
- Pets help prevent heart disease. Because pets provide companionship, research shows they may provide their owners with greater psychological stability – a measure of protection from heart disease.
- Pets help lower healthcare costs. Believe it or not, people with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions.
- Pets can reduce stress. Walking a pet can soothe nerves and help you relax. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet.
- Pets help fight depression. Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. The bonding behavior can foster a sense of security.
Bottom line: There's ample evidence that pets make our lives better.
