Having a pet is one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences one can have. The great news is that it’s also great for your health. Who knew that pets could be the best medicine! Pets, however, need to be a companion or part of a family, so please make sure you can look after it for the rest of his or her life, or that you have named a close friend or relative who will take care of and love him/her should the need arrive.
Health benefits include:
- Prevents loneliness and boosts mood Having a pet to love does wonders for your mood and you are always appreciated when you come home! Taking care of an animal gives people a reason to get up and be active, and is known to be good for depression. It's no accident that care dogs are used in hospitals, special needs centres, aged care homes and for therapy.
- Reduces stress Looking after and caring for a pet reduces stress and has been know to help people who are anxious, have post traumatic stress disorder and addiction. A lot can go wrong in your life, but the unconditional love of your pet and taking good care of him/her will always be there.
- Lowers blood pressure Owning a dog or cat (or other animal) can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, all of which is good for your cardiovascular health.
- Improves socialising Walking a pet in parks or taking your pet to a café is a great way to socialise. Often people won’t talk to someone walking alone, but if you have a dog with you, it breaks the ice and people become more friendly
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Helps prevent strokes and heart attacks
Owning a cat can reduce your chances of having a stroke by 40% and of having a heart attack by 30% (*). Having a dog means you're significantly more likely to be alive a year after having a heart attack.
(* Dr Becker from Good Morning America)
- Reduces pain and anxiety Having a pet reduces anxiety and that impacts our perception of pain. Stroking them is very therapeutic. They also come and snuggle us when we are sick or sad, and that makes us feel very loved.
- Reduces doctor visits Reports show that people over 65 years old have, on average, 30% less general practitioner visits if they have a pet.
“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.”