Pets & Their Health Benefits
I always felt like having my cats always boosted my mood when I was stressed from studying or whatever life threw at me. My personal hypothesis is that they released good feel hormones with their purring (ha-ha). Well then I was told some hospitals/long term care facilities bring in dogs for the residents to play with, and it truly made their day too! It looks like having pets around, although there is a responsibility involved, can truly have a positive impact on one’s well-being.
According to the CDC, there is a list of health benefits and owning a pet mentioned by them! They said “Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners”.
Here are some of the benefits listed on the website:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased cholesterol levels
- Decreased triglyceride levels
- Decreased feelings of loneliness
- Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
- Increased opportunities for socialization
Of course, they may be cute and cuddly but there are always caveats. Pets must be kept clean and hygienic at all times in order to not spread disease. For instance, pregnant women should not clean cat litter because the litter may contain a parasite that can cause a toxoplasmosis infection. This infection can harm the unborn baby and even lead to a possible miscarriage.
One obvious benefit for an elderly person or anyone in general for owning a pet is companionship. Pets provide unconditional love, and I mean, who would not want that! But once again, the upkeep of owning a pet can be challenging for an older person who has health conditions.
A person with gait issues could find challenges walking their dog, and can potentially get hurt by being tripped and falling leading to broken bones.
Also, owning a pet is not quite inexpensive. “The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average pet owner spends about $500 per year on a pet, although estimates from other organizations put annual expenses as high as $1,600 per year!”. Before purchasing a pet, it is important to consider if you can financially, mentally, and physically handle owning a pet at your point in time. But nevertheless, if you are able to and are up for a tiny bit of challenge, your pet can truly improve your life as well!