Ways Pets Make You Healthier

If you ask pet owners to describe how they feel about their beloved cat or dog, they are likely to tell you that their furry friend is not so much a pet but more like part of the family. The bond that develops among pets and their owners can be very powerful. Many pet owners refer to their pets as one of their children. Luckily for pet owners, there are a wide variety of health benefits, both physical and emotional, associated with owning a pet.

Protects Against Allergies

Allergies are becoming more and more common among both children and adults. There is no cure for allergies, and once they do develop, they can be difficult to manage. Allergy symptoms can range from mild discomfort to anaphylactic shock. Although there are effective techniques that can be used to treat allergy symptoms, they are not effective at treating the allergy itself. The best way to avoid suffering from allergy symptoms is to avoid developing allergies in the first place.

When a child grows up in a home that has a furry animal such as a dog or cat, they reduce their risk of developing allergies and asthma later on in life. For example, infants who are raised in a home that has a dog are much less likely to develop pet allergies throughout childhood or later as an adult. But having a pet in the home protects against more than pet allergies. Other conditions that are associated with allergies, such as asthma and eczema, are less likely to occur in children who grow up in homes with furry pets.

Provides Exercise

Owning a pet comes with all of the responsibilities associated with caring for that pet, including feeding the pet, taking him for walks and grooming him. As a pet owner, you are likely to get in much more physical activity than your non-pet owning counterparts. Although these tasks do not equate to the same level of physical activity that you would get if you were participating in a traditional exercise routine, they still force you to get up and get active.

When it comes to staying active, any amount of physical activity is better than none. And if your pet happens to be a dog, those walks that you take him on throughout the day may actually be close to the same amount of exercise that you would get during more traditional workouts.

Lowers Blood Pressure

If you own a pet, you are less likely to have high blood pressure than if you were not a pet owner. Although the reasoning behind the phenomenon is unclear, most health care professionals will agree that owning a pet can significantly lower blood pressure, especially among individuals who live a generally stressful lifestyle. During stressful events, many physiological changes take place within the body, one of which is an elevation in blood pressure. When interacting with a pet, the brain releases serotonin, a nerve transmitter that causes feelings of pleasure and calmness. As the body calms down, blood pressure levels drop shortly after.

Improves Immune System

Owning a pet can boost your immune system in two ways. First, because pets do not bathe regularly, they are considered dirty animals. They trap dirt, dust, germs and other debris on their fur and track it through your home. When babies and children are exposed to this debris regularly, their immune systems will work harder to prevent illness. This results in a stronger immune system over time. Having a pet also boosts the immune system because pet owners experience happiness when interacting with their pet. There is a strong correlation between happiness and improved immune function.

Pets Can Improve Emotional Health

There’s no doubt that owning a pet can have a significant impact on your physical health, but the health benefits don’t stop there. In addition to better physical health, pet owners often experience an improvement in their mental health as well.

Decreases Loneliness

Loneliness is a problem faced by many individuals, and it is especially common among senior citizens and elderly individuals who may have lost their spouse. Loneliness can result in negative emotional health and feelings of depression, sadness and fear. For these individuals, a pet is much more than just an animal. Pets can become lifelong companions to people who would otherwise spend their days alone.

In addition to the elderly, pets can offer companionship to individuals with physical disabilities, children who suffer from autism and other developmental delays, stay-at-home parents whose kids have started school and empty nesters whose adult children have recently left the home.

Decreases Fear and Anxiety

Many individuals experience fear and anxiety about their safety, especially at night. Fear can affect all individuals, however, it may be especially true for women and the elderly who wonder how they will protect themselves if an intruder were to enter the home. Adults who live alone may be especially fearful about potential burglars or home invaders. Pet owners report an increased sense of security from having a dog in the home. The dog need not be vicious or a trained attack dog to offer protection.

Dogs have a keen sense of smell and their hearing is much more acute than that of humans. Just knowing that their dogs bark will quickly alert them to anything out of the ordinary often makes people feel more relaxed and secure in their own home.

Improves Mood

Pets have the ability to quickly improve their owner’s mood. Animal lovers often can’t help but to feel happy when they are in the company of their pets, even when they are in the worst of moods. Interacting with pets can cause euphoric feelings and eliminate feelings of anger, sadness, irritability and depression. Spending time with pets can release tension and eliminate stress.

Encourage Social Interaction

Individuals with pets often forge relationships with other pet owners. Whether taking your dog for a walk or taking your cat to the vet for a check-up, you are likely to run into other people who are engaging in the same activities with their pets. Pets can be the common interest you share with other individuals that makes it easier for you to engage in a conversation with them. This is especially beneficial for people who are shy and not very outgoing. Having a pet provides you with the opportunity to expand your social network and develop relationships with likeminded people. Having a broad circle of friends and acquaintances can significantly improve your mental health and well being.


There’s no doubt that there are significant health benefits, both physical and emotional, associated with being a pet owner. Pets are lifelong companions who will love their owner unconditionally. Owning a pet, however, comes with a lot of responsibility and is a major commitment. Before becoming a pet owner, make sure you understand what is involved and what will be expected of you as you care for the animal. Consider all of your responsibilities, including caring for your pet, grooming, feedings, taking him to the vet, training him, etc. For many people, the benefits of having a pet far outweigh the work that comes with it.