The Real Physical and Mental Benefits of Pet Ownership: Why Pets Are Truly Good for You

Pet people love their animals and some would never be without a furry friend in the home. Why is that? Let’s explore “The Real Physical and Mental Benefits of Pet Ownership: Why Pets Are Truly Good for You”.

Physical Benefits of Pet Ownership

The Exercise Advantage of Owning a Dog

Let’s begin with the physical benefits of having a dog.
We all know that dog owners are usually out walking their dogs especially if they live in a town, or city and the dog may not have a large backyard to play in. Where I am, people take advantage of the multiple trails and forests to enjoy the outdoors with their dogs.

According to health.ucdavis.edu, “60% of dog owners meet the recommended weekly amount of exercise.” “This means they get 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.” That’s pretty good when you think about it.

Many dogs have to be walked every day and sometimes several times a day. Even if the walk is only ten minutes in length, the health benefits for the human and the dog can add up. The routine of getting out each day can help with weight management and “reduce the risk of breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancers.”

As well as the Mayo Clinic health systems states, “People who regularly perform aerobic exercise have improved blood pressure, reduced blood sugar levels, better controlled weight and reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. All this just by taking your dog out for a walk? That’s quite the benefit!

We all know there are those miserable days when it is pouring rain or is snowing like crazy, that the last thing you want to do is go out to walk the dog. But, the happy walks out number the bad ones and the benefits all add up.

Physical Activity and Cats

As for cats, they don’t usually go out for walks, but some people have trained their cats to go walking on a harness. In this case the benefits for walking outside for the human would be quite similar. But walking a cat is not necessarily the norm, so how would one get a physical health benefit owning a cat? Well I guess the idea of engaging and playing with your cat does mean that there is some physical exertion happening, so I think that can count a little bit.

So, dogs win out over cats for physical benefits but lets’ see how they fair when it comes to mental, social and ageing benefits.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Pet Ownership

How Dogs Reduce Stress and Anxiety

In terms of mental benefits, dogs can decrease stress. “Dogs decrease stress by lowering stress hormones like cortisol and blood pressure, and increasing “feel-good” hormones like oxytocin through physical contact and social interaction.”

According to AI “petting or interacting with a dog has been shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Social interaction with dogs increases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding, love, and positive feelings.”

Dogs can also provide a sense of purpose and distract from worries. I think this is a big one, because many pet parents know how hugging your dog can melt away many upsets. Sometimes dogs will sense the sadness in their human and come and give their presence for comfort or put their head in your lap or even lean against you to provide comfort. Sometimes coming home from a hard day or from an upsetting encounter, seeing your dog at the door happy to greet you, can alleviate some of that emotion and change things to be more positive. Dogs don’t judge, they just want your company and often have a very special bond with their human, knowing when they are upset.

Cats and Emotional Well-being

Cats also provide the same mental and emotional support that dogs do. Just 10 minutes of petting a cat can lower cortisol levels. Cats can provide the same comfort that dogs do during stressful times. They too often have strong bonds with their humans and can sense unhappiness and sorrow in their humans. Cats have often been known to sense their human’s mood and come and cuddle with them, or lay on their lap. Many allow their human to hold and cuddle them knowing that the human is in need of that physical comfort. Also, cats can lift one’s mood with their play and antics. It’s hard not to smile sometimes watching your cat do some silly thing. And apparently that sound of a content cat purring has a calming effect on humans as well.

Companionship and Social Benefits

Pets and the Power to Combat Loneliness

And one of the best mental benefits of a dog or a cat, is how they help with loneliness. Having a cat or a dog creates purpose. You have to be responsible for their well-being. Their companionship gives a human another living creature to interact with, be responsible for, and talk to. The house is not empty when you come home to that wagging tail or meow. They are companions.

How Pets Help Us Connect with Others

Building on the idea of thwarting loneliness, having a pet often creates opportunities to socialize and meet new people. Walking a dog will often have people say hello and ask if they can pet your dog. Also, if you go to a local dog park, the humans love interacting and talking about their dogs. These conversations often move on to other topics and easily result in meeting for coffee or getting together.

Not to exclude cats, cat people can easily meet through like-minded online groups, or striking up a conversation at the pet store or meeting neighbours who see your cat in the window or out in the garden.

As well, when someone is a pet or animal person, volunteering at a local shelter can easily provide that furry cuddle and the interaction with other people.

Pets and Healthy Aging

And last but not least, as people age, sometimes owning a pet is the best way to healthy aging. For many of the same reasons I have already discussed, having a pet can help an older person stay active, experience the benefits of having a pet with regards to lowering blood pressure, etc. But also, the sense of purpose and responsibility can really contribute to a more healthy approach to aging. The companionship of the pet helps with loneliness and depression. If the pet is a dog, again the physical benefit and the social benefit is fantastic for seniors.

And as health.ucdavis.edu states, “In addition to promoting exercise and reducing stress, pets can also help older adults manage long-term diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Pets can improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with these diseases by decreasing distress, loneliness and depression.”

The Joys and Challenges of Pet Ownership

I think as pet parents, we all know the happiness and unconditional love our pets give to us. Why else is it that we are devastated when they pass. Not every moment with a pet is roses. The days where your cat throws up on your best rug or your puppy chews your best shoes, or for whatever reason your cat pees in your laundry, these are the challenges. Muddy paws, dog and cat hair and fur, expense, heartache does come with the commitment.

But, the fun, the laughter, the cuddles, the play, the outdoor time, the unconditional love, the companionship, the benefits all outweigh those challenges.

So, are there physical and mental benefits to having a pet? There sure is! It’s not for everyone, but those who embrace being a pet parent can enjoy some very beneficial perks.

If you are thinking about having a pet, think about all the positive benefits and do some research because as I say, knowing is caring.