Most of us are aware of the life changes that come with owning pets, however, few know about their mental and healthy benefits. Caring for a dog, cat or any other pet can help with mental health or lower heart rate.
The first reason is obvious; physical exercise. Dog or cat owners have to take their pets out every day and this can significantly increase daily exercise. This in turn helps with relaxation and prevents various diseases such as heart disease or high blood pressure. Getting fresh air will help raise your average sleep hours and benefit the immune system.
Pets provide companionship which can help with feelings of loneliness or anxiety. Caring for a pet can give you a sense of responsibility and make you feel wanted. This can be extremely beneficial to older people who live alone.
The third reason is to give your daily routine and structure. Feeding, walking, caring, or exercising your pet can help you feel more focused during the day and give you a sense of accomplishment. Studies have shown that people with ADHD benefit from this structure that a pet provides. Managing a pet can also assist in other aspects of their lives.
Pets can help with social anxiety. Dog owners meet other dog owners while on walks or in dog parks. You may meet new people in pet shops or training courses which can ease social anxiety and find other like-minded people.
Even though the benefits of having a pet are incredible, this isn’t for everyone. Every year 920,000 pets get euthanized in shelters due to being abandoned. Some factors to consider before getting a pet are; money (for bills, food, etc), the amount of outside space you have, how active you are, and allergies (with dogs or cat fur).