There’s a reason pets have become an indispensable part of so many people’s lives. They aren’t just cute little friends — they’re family members with profound effects on our physical and mental health. In this article, we’re going to explore the positive impact that pets have on our lives, particularly dogs and horses (though cats are great too!), which are the focus of most research.
It’s also worth noting that all pets are beneficial whether they’re trained as emotional support or psychiatric service animals or not! Whoever you bond with will be a great addition to your family. And if you happen to need the specialized training of service pets, then they’re always an option.
1. Pets Get You Outside and Moving
One of the first things a new pet owner will tell is just how much they’re walking now. And that’s a good thing! Whether you work from home or just tend to spend a lot of your day sitting down, getting regular light exercise can have a massive impact on your health and wellbeing. As I mentioned in a PsychCentral article, people who own dogs get about 22 more minutes of walking than non-dog owners a day. That really adds up.
Whether you’re struggling with mental health or general wellness concerns, getting fresh air and light exercise every day can be life-changing. It’s also a great way to chat with your neighbors or meet new people at dog parks. Of course, if you have physical disabilities, then a lower-maintenance pet like a cat or an older dog might be ideal. They’d be thrilled to lounge around too!
2. Pets Can Change Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
One remarkable and consistent finding is a correlation between owning a pet — particularly a dog — and having a lower heart rate and blood pressure compared to non-pet owners of similar physiological and socioeconomic backgrounds. Something about having a companion at home plays a protective role in your heart health.
The research has been so compelling that the American Heart Association actually released a scientific statement in 2013 letting people know that adopting a pet could reduce their risk of experiencing a cardiovascular disease. Likewise, the CDC released a paper stating that pets also help lower cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.
More than that, heart attack patients who have pets at home tend to survive longer than those who don't, and elderly pet owners make 30% fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets. Think about that next time your dog asks for a bone!
3. Pets Can Help With Depression — and the Blues
Whether you struggle with clinical depression or are just prone to bouts of sadness every now and again, pets can be a big help. One WebMD article explains that pets interrupt the loneliness cycle that tends to exacerbate depression. Rather than coming home from work and shutting yourself inside, pets greet you at the door, encourage you to go outside for a walk, and give you plenty of love when you get back home.
In other words, pets light up your home with a bit of life and plenty of unconditional love. Just petting a dog can increase your mood and reduce stress hormones, and since you’re responsible for their wellbeing, your days will have more structure. That means it won’t be as easy for you to lay in bed all day and spiral — instead, you’ll be feeding, walking, napping, and playing with your pal.
4. Pets Help With Anxiety and Stress
For those who struggle with anxiety, pets can help you break down those boundaries, rewire your brain, and make you a more confident and less anxious person. It’s little wonder why — pets are great at enjoying the moment! They don’t dwell on the past, worry about the future, or catastrophize their lives. They just want to have fun and hang out with their owners.
If you’re anxious after a hard day at work, about going outside, or being around other people, just follow your pet’s lead! They will help calm your brain down and show you that you don’t have anything to worry about. All that matters is the moment, and whenever you feel that anxiety creeping back in, you can just reach down and hug your pet for support.
Consider Animal-Assisted Therapy
It’s clear that pets can have a massive impact on our overall health, but they’re also a pretty big responsibility! If you want to learn more about how you and a pet can improve one another’s lives, take a look at my animal-assisted therapy page, and feel free to contact me with any questions!