We all love our pets, and they love us. We give them love, food, a place to live, even medical care. But has anyone ever shown you what our pets do for us? Without even knowing it, they help us to be healthier and happier.
Lowers Stress Levels and Helps Maintain Calm:
Playing with or petting the family dog or cat has been shown to increase the hormones serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, and can lower the stress-causing chemical cortisol. This reaction can help bring calm and can make you feel more relaxed. With less stress and more relaxation, your physical health can improve.
Decreases Allergies and Illness:
Researchers in Finland discovered that having a dog or cat in the family may actually protect children from diseases such as the common cold and other respiratory illnesses, helps prevent ear infections, and less need for antibiotics. Another study found that children who grow up with animals have stronger immune systems.
However, the Finnish study didn’t include allergies to dogs or cats. If the parents have a pet allergy, they are more likely to have children with similar allergies. In such a case, having pets in the house may be unsafe for such children.
Provides Companionship:
Pets will never judge you, never spill your secrets, never let you down when you need comfort. They love you unconditionally and stay by your side when you need a friend. Once you bring a pet into your family, you will never have to be alone again.
Helps Teach Responsibility:
Whether for children or for a couple, adding a four-legged friend into the household can be a wonderful opportunity to practice being responsible. Pets need to be fed, watered, played with, exercised, and cleaned up after. Whoever takes care of the dog is bound to feel a sense of ownership and pride.
Increases Exercise:
Keeping up with a pet can be great exercise for both the pet and the owner, whether going for a walk, playing fetch, or even getting them to chase a laser pointer. Playing with your pet will be good for both of you.
Social Interaction:
Research shows that people are more likely to trust individuals walking their dog, even more so if they themselves have a dog with them. A dog is a great conversation starter. People might ask about breed, age, and personality, and may even watch the dog do tricks.
In the end, we don’t have pets because they calm us down or because they give us a reason to start a conversation. We have pets because we want companionship. We love our pets unconditionally, and they love us. Everything else pales by comparison.
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