There are two types of people, those who grew up with a pet and those who didn’t. If you are in the first group, chances are you aware of all the goodness of having a pet and are comfortable being around them. If you didn’t have any pets growing up, you might feel a little uneasy around them, especially when you visit a friend who is a huge pet lover. February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day. We wanted to talk about the importance of having a pet and how these lovely little furballs can improve your mental and physical well-being. We wish to acknowledge that while many animals can be considered pets, experts advise against keeping wild animals as pets. In this article, we want to focus mainly on household pets such as dogs and cats. But mostly dogs.

If you didn’t grow up with a pet, it is entirely natural for you to feel uneasy around them. If you are thinking about becoming a first-time pet owner, this article is for you. I remember when my brother and I wanted to adopt a puppy, my mom was completely against it. She saw a picture of him and said, “no way that thing is going live in this house.” We adopted him anyways, and fast-forward ten years, and she doesn’t go anywhere without him. They are practically inseparable. The point of the story is that, just like anything else, practice makes perfect. When you welcome a dog into your home, you WILL form a bond with them, and they WILL become a part of your family. That bond between pets and their parents is an excellent source of mental and physical wellness for the entire family.

Physical Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

Having a pet leads to developing a series of healthy habits, including getting up early in the morning, spending time in nature, and physical activity. For example, dogs will need to be walked multiple times a day. In addition to that, one of the greatest joys of having a pet in your life is playtime. Pets are like children. You will have to set aside time to play with them, especially when they are younger. Between the walks, the dog parks, and the playtimes, you will be getting a good dose of daily activities by having a pet family member.

The American Heart Association has published a statement in which they suggest that having a pet, a dog, in particular, is associated with reducing your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. A study conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2004 found that human blood-pressure dropped by 10% around 15 to 30 minutes after petting a dog.

Moreover, pet-care leads to self-care. Caring for a dog, horse, or cat reminds us to care for ourselves as well. Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility. As I mentioned before, pets are like children, except they cannot talk and tell you directly if they experience any pain or discomfort. That is why as pet owners, we have to be diligent and make sure they are properly fed a balanced diet, are regularly groomed, and are up-to-date with their shots and doctor visits. All of these require a pet-care-routine, which for many people leads to a self-care routine. Many people find that in pursuant of better health for their pets, they start embracing a healthier lifestyle for themselves.

Mental Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

In addition to the physical health benefits, owning a pet can heavily contribute to your mental well-being and that of your entire family.

Unconditional Love, Increased Happiness, and Mood-booster:

Pets don’t judge their owners. They do not care whether you are a hardworking person or not, or if you have paid your taxes or not. If you take care of them and feed them, they will love you unconditionally. Sadly, most pets will love you unconditionally even if you don’t take care of them (but please, please, please, take care of them). This unconditional love can lead to you being happier, having a better mood, and reducing the feeling of loneliness.

Reduced Anxiety:

A study published in May of 2010 asked a group of stressed-out adults to pet a rabbit, a turtle, and a toy. Touching the toy didn’t have any effects on them. Yet, stroking the rabbit or turtle relieved anxiety. It is worth mentioning that even people who didn’t particularly like animals experienced the benefits.

Reduced Depression:

Caring for living things gives our lives a sense of purpose and meaning. Having a pet, even one that doesn’t interact much with its caregiver, has been linked to reduced depression and loneliness. In a 2016 study around pets and mental health, a group consisting of adults 65 and older was given five crickets in a cage. Researchers observed their mood over the next sixty days and compared them to a control group that did not care for pets. The study found that the participants that were given crickets became less depressed after eight weeks compared to those in the control group.

Increased Sociability:

It is a pop-culture cliché that being a pet owner can help you pick up a girl or a guy, BUT it is true. Owning a pet will increase the number of off-chance chats that you will have with strangers. Whether they are a current or former pet owner, having a conversation with someone while you are outside with your pet is almost unavoidable. It is worth mentioning that it is helpful to have a pet that is approachable and comfortable around other animals and people. Still, when people see you with your pet, they will want to start a conversation with you.

Although some of the benefits we mentioned earlier are specific to dogs, you can still enjoy most of these benefits by owning various pets. Now that you know that being a pet owner leads to a happier and healthier life, you have to decide which pet is right for you. Here are a few things to consider before picking the right pet:

How long will this animal live?
What does the pet eat?
How much exercise does the pet need?
How large will it become?
How much will it cost for veterinary care?

The Center for Disease Control also recommends considering the following when looking for a new pet:

Households with children five years of age and younger should not have pet reptiles such as turtles, lizards, snakes. Moreover, amphibians such as frogs and toads are considered unsuitable as pets. Keeping backyard poultry runs the risk of serious illness from harmful germs spread between these animals and young children.
People with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions when choosing and handling pets. Talk to your veterinarian for help picking the best pet.
Pregnant women should avoid adopting a new cat or handling stray cats, especially kittens. Cats can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis—a disease that can cause congenital disabilities. If you are pregnant, you do not need to give up your current cat, but you should avoid changing cat litter.
Pregnant women should avoid contact with pet rodents to prevent exposure to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which can cause birth defects. If you’re pregnant and have a pet rodent, avoid direct contact and have someone else clean its habitat.

No matter which animal you pick as your pet, you are guaranteed to lead a healthier and happier life moving forwards, and whether you are current or a soon-to-be pet owner, show some extra love to your pet on National Love Your Pet Day.

How Pets Can Affect Your Mental & Physical Health