Pets: True Friends With Benefits
Furry companions can improve health
Pet ownership has reached an all-time high in America. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), nearly one in five households welcomed a dog or cat in the last two years. Whether acquired to cope with pandemic-related stress or made easier by limitations on socializing and travel, pets are now at home in more than two-thirds of U.S. households. That's a good thing for their human companions in several ways.
In addition to the joy of receiving unconditional love, pet owners derive real health benefits from sharing their homes with animals of many species. They make us feel needed and give us purpose.
How can having a pet improve your health?
Some of the benefits are obvious. Walking your dog twice a day (or more) requires you to take a walk, too. Regular exercise promotes cardiovascular health, strength, and balance. Spending time in nature also helps to improve physical, mental, and psychological well-being. Walking your dog is also an opportunity to socialize and forge connections with other dog owners and your neighbors. The National Institutes of Health maintains that "Social connections are essential for health and well-being at all ages, and may be especially important for promoting health in later life."
The responsibility of caring for a pet encourages you to focus on another’s needs and extend your world beyond yourself. According to the CDC, "Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship."
Pet ownership may delay cognitive decline
A preliminary study by a team at the University of Michigan found that long-term pet ownership helped delay aging in the brain. The pet who makes you feel good is also good for you!
If you're looking to share — and improve — your life with a pet, the American Veterinary Medical Association provides a wealth of information, including how to choose a pet, the importance of nutrition and exercise, traveling with your pet, and how to prepare for and cope with emergencies at www.avma.org/events/national-pet-week.
Pets can "lead" us to better health and feeling younger by encouraging us to move more, engage in play, forge social connections with other living creatures and nudging us to care for others, whether they walk on two legs or four.