Pets are good for mental health, and so many other things…

All of this coming from someone that has had a dog all her life until about 22 years old, when I moved out of my parents' house.

There are many studies proving that having a pet companion improves one's mental health, and the normal choices these days are cats and dogs. Do I guess the choice of companion varies?

My husband and I have recently decided to aid our little girls decreasing social life with a companion. You see, kids benefit just as much from a pet companion as we do, if not more. And the search has started slow, until one day when we met the new member of our 👪 family.

And it has still surprised me how much our life has changed already in the short time Ava has been with us. From her playfulness to her sensibility, her life lessons have started changing us already. You see kids and animals are the purest and honest creatures, and they tend to pull you into their wonderful world. Ergo the mental health improvements from them sharing life with you. We go back to the basics. Start realising our priorities, and enjoy the simplest of actions again. Renounce the social media life, and enjoy more the real one more.

Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend. It’s only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond.

Pets have evolved to become in sink to humans and our behaviour and emotions. Dogs, for example, are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. They are not nicknamed man’s best friend for anything.

Pets, especially dogs and cats can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active, with a better understanding of responsibility and love. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life.

Studies have shown that:

Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.

People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.

Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.

Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.

Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.

Pet owners over age 65 make 30 per cent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.

Health benefits for children

Not only do children who grow up with pets have less risk of allergies and asthma, but many also learn responsibility, compassion, and empathy from having a dog or cat.

Unlike parents or teachers, pets are never critical and don’t give orders. They are always loving and their mere presence at home can help provide a sense of security in children. Having an ever-present pet can help ease separation anxiety in children when mom and dad aren’t around.\/

Having the love and companionship of a pet can make a child feel important and help them develop a positive self-image.

Kids who are emotionally attached to their pets are better able to build relationships with other people.

Studies have also shown that pets can help calm hyperactive or overly aggressive kids.

Children and adults can benefit from playing with pets, which can provide a source of calmness and relaxation, as well as a source of stimulation for the brain and body. Playing with a pet can even be a doorway to learning for a child. It can stimulate a child’s imagination and curiosity. The rewards of training a dog to perform a new trick, for example, can teach kids the importance of perseverance. Caring for a furry friend can also offer another benefit to a child: immense joy.

So all in all a furry friend is always a good choice for many reasons. Helps the heart, soul and body. And they make life more interesting, especially when they try to type with you the article that is ongoing :).