The benefits of having pets on mental health

Have you ever wondered why animals are so important to human-beings? Why there are so many different households with different pets? There are a lot of benefits of having a little creature at home to call your friend. Some of them may even surprise you!

It’s scientifically proven that pets can reduce our stress levels. When you spend some time petting your favorite dog or cat your body releases oxytocin, prolactin and serotonin. These are the so-called “feel-good” hormones. It also lowers cortisol levels, which is the body’s natural stress hormone. This lowers our blood-pressure by 10% and sends our body to a relaxed state! Physical exercise is another one: dogs need to go on walks regularly. This is a good way to get your daily steps in for yourself and for your furry friend!

Next to the physical benefits, there are also a ton of mental benefits. Pets provide us with emotional support. If you deal with loneliness, dogs and cats are perfect to help keep your spirits up. They are the perfect companions and great listeners. Pets give us a sense of purpose and help people with depression to find a reason to get out of bed and to get some fresh air. Thanks to the calming effect of a loving house-animal, people who struggle with anxiety find a lot of comfort with their pets. Did you know that pets can oftentimes pick up on our moods? They can sense when we feel sad or anxious, and therefore try to comfort us by snuggling up to us or licking our hands.

These factors all play a part in the overall health of a human being. For seniors and younger people especially, having a pet is very beneficial. 

Having a companion pet as a child is great because it helps with emotional, cognitive, behavioural, educational, and social development. It fulfills attachment needs, improves self-esteem, helps in regulating emotions and with all that also comes the physical and mental benefits named above. 

Same can be said for our seniors. The elderly with companion pets have an improved quality of life as it helps them get out of the house more. It has also been proven that they show slowing symptoms of dementia and that symptoms of depression and anxiety are alleviated.

Overall, having a furry friend has more upsides than downsides! I really recommend thinking about it. See what you, as an individual or a household, may need and if you are prepared to take on the responsibilities of looking after a pet. It comes with a lot of authority and costs, but considering the benefits it comes with it, it is certainly worth thinking about.

sources:

Buyting. (2020, May 21). The Importance of Pets in Our Lives. Transitions LifeCare. https://www.transitionslifecare.org/2020/05/27/the-importance-of-pets-in-our-lives/ 

What are the benefits of companion animals to human health? (2024, August 6). https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-are-the-benefits-of-companion-animals-to-human-health/

Habri. (2024, May 2). How Pets Impact Our Mental Health. HABRI. https://habri.org/blog/how-pets-impact-our-mental-health/ 

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