Owning a Pet Can Lengthen Your Life? 5 Health Benefits of Being a Pet Owner

By Alicia Geigel on May 16, 2017

Whether you are a dog or cat lover, we can all agree that these furry sweethearts are everybody’s best friend. Whether you have an animal or you are considering buying one, not only will having a companion be beneficial for your health, but you can also save a life through adoption.

Image via Pixabay 

Why adoption?

According to Peta2, 6 million cats and dogs (as well as other animals) are in animal shelters every year. While these animals are in shelters, the majority of pet stores sell animals for profit. At first glimpse, you might ask what is so wrong with pet stores selling these animals?

The problem lies in the fact that before the animals reach the store, they are bred in breeding mills, which are not in the best conditions. While pet stores are completely profit oriented, the focus of animal shelters is to provide animals with proper care, save their lives, and give them a loving home to go to.

Another benefit of adopting an animal from a shelter is the cost is significantly cheaper than buying one from a pet store. The cost of adopting an animal from a shelter can range from $50 to $500, and includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, medicine, microchipping, etc. Buying an animal from a store, however, can cost up to a few thousand dollars without all of the necessities the pet needs.

Now, you’ve heard the benefits of adopting for the animal’s sake, but what’s in it for you? According to those in the health and medical fields, quite a bit! Here are five reasons why having a pet will help your health.

1. Decreases stress

According to a study conducted at the University of New York at Buffalo, participants who were experiencing a stressful situation felt less stressed when their pets were around them in contrast to when a friend or spouse was nearby. No matter how young or old you are, stress will always affect you in one way or another. Why not have a pet to take away from the stress and give you peace of mind?

Image via Pixabay

2. Helps to ease pain

Linked with decreasing stress, the presence of a pet can reduce pain, especially for individuals who deal with chronic pain ranging from arthritis to migraines. As pets lower anxiety and stress levels, pain levels lower as well.

Image via Pixabay

3. Initiates activity

Owning an animal helps inspire you to be more active, as both dogs and cats love activity and play time. According to the CDC, the increase in activity can help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels (especially in men), which helps your heart stay healthy and strong! A healthy heart allows for more time to spend with your furry friend; what else could you want?

Image via Pixabay

4. Improves mood

Pets are known to improve the emotional state of people, but by what degree? Katy Nelson, an emergency vet at the VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital in Virginia stated, “veterans who have a pet are able to re-enter society a little bit easier. They’re showing a decreased suicide rate; they have someone they’re responsible for, someone who cares about them.”

The presence of an animal can decrease the effects of depression as well as increase levels of happiness and laughter in people; who can say no to that?

Image via Pixabay

5. Increases socialization

Having a pet helps to motivate people to get outside, to go to the park or another public space as a way to get out of the house. According to a 1999 Canadian study, “pet owners were more socially engaged than non pet owners” while an Austrian study concluded that, “owning a pet led to an increase in social contact, more socialization within neighborhoods, and a greater perception to observers that the neighborhood seems ‘friendly.’”

Image via Pixabay

Not only can having an animal help save its life, but it can also be beneficial for your health and your well-being! The presence of a friendly, furry companion will increase your happiness, decrease your stress, and make your heart not only physically healthy but also fill it with an incredible amount of love.

Here is a picture of my best pal, a 2-year-old Yorkie named, “Nugget.” My family adopted him a little over a year ago when he was around 13 months old, and he helped to heal our home during a time of great strife. He brings us more happiness, laughter, and love than we could have ever imagined. If you have the means to do so, adopt an animal and you will not regret it.

I mean, how could you resist a precious face like this?

Image via Alicia Geigel

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