Pets - Unexpected Health Benefits Beyond Unconditional Love
When I was a child, I used to beg my parents for a pet; sadly, they never gave in. However, I found a way around that! I started babysitting our neighbours pets when they were away, this began a lifelong love of cats (and the occasional dog).
Little did I know then what a profound effect having pets would have on me.
My husband and I currently have four cats - Jane, Darcy, Toes and Lizzie. They each have such unique personalities and quirks. I truly can’t imagine life without them.
You may or may not have seen the videos on Instagram (or likely on Tiktok) about how a cat purrs at a range that has health benefits (including: improving bone density, helping to heal broken bones, repairing joints and tendons and helping to heal wounds). The good news is that this is not only true, but pets in general offer many more health benefits!
Benefits of Pets for Mental Health
Cats have frequently been referred to as the ultimate Zen Masters. Their ability to be present, be calm and wait are the foundations of mindfulness and hunting skills. While I realize that all cats aren’t always calm and patient (meal time or when they want something or simply have the ‘zoomies’), they are most of the time.
Dogs are also exceptionally good at being present and showering all their unconditional love and affection on you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been gone for five minutes or five days, a dog is always happy to see you and love you.
The calm that comes from watching a fish swim can help to reduce stress and increase mindfulness and happiness.
Regardless of the type of pet, pets have been shown to trigger the release of endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Endorphins help to reduce how we perceive pain and increase overall feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Oxytocin is more commonly known as the love hormone because it helps us bond with loved ones. Serotonin is best known for increasing feelings of happiness and decreasing anxiety but also has an effect on a number of other areas in the body. Finally, dopamine is known for its effects on our levels of motivation because it triggers the reward and pleasure center in the brain.
Physical Benefits of Having a Pet
Okay, there are the really obvious health benefits of having a dog - getting out daily for walks. A 30 minute walk (or multiple shorter walks totaling 30 minutes) can have profound health benefits.
Pets (both cats and dogs) have been shown to have a significant impact on heart health overall by reducing stress and blood pressure. Cats have been shown to reduce the relative risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
Most people think of allergies when they think of pets, especially cats. Studies have shown that children who grow up with animals are less likely to develop allergies and have better immune responses. This is true for having a cat or dog at home or for kids who live on a farm with larger animals. There is one exception to this, if mom has a cat allergy then there is a higher likelihood of their child developing a cat allergy if they’re exposed at a young age.
Health Benefits for the Elderly
Having a pet at home is something that can help any elderly person. Not only does this give them a reason to get up in the morning, having a pet can help provide companionship and someone to take care of each day.
I saw this first hand with my grandmother. If it weren’t for the dogs in the house, she wouldn’t have a reason to get out of her chair and move around during the day. The dogs would demand to be let out into the backyard multiple times a day, which meant that she was up and out of her chair moving around multiple times a day. It also gave her so much joy to be able to give them treats when they came back in. Sometimes, this meant that they went out for the sole purpose of coming right back in again to get a treat. This symbiotic relationship likely extended her life after my grandfather passed as it gave her purpose and a reason to get up every morning.
How Pets Help
Regardless of your choice of pet, having a pet has been shown to:
Reduce stress by decreasing cortisol
Lower blood pressure and heart rate which in turn help to improve heart health
Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Reduce feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety
Boost your mood
Reduce symptoms of PTSD
And more!
Pets have also been shown to help children learn to cope with their emotions and improve their social skills. There are a number of studies being conducted to determine if having a therapy pet is beneficial for children with ADHD and/or are on the autism spectrum.
Beyond all the health benefits, the unconditional love and companionship of a pet is wonderful all on its own!
Do you have a pet or two (or more) at home? If you do, comment below, I’d love to hear all about them! If you don’t have a pet and are thinking about getting one, let me know in the comments below!
Andrea
PS - If you decide to get a kitten, get two! You’ll thank me when they have each other to play with at 2am instead of attacking your toes or your house because they’re bored and want attention.
