5 health benefits of owning a pet that you should know about

If you own a pet, whether it be a cat, a dog or a bird etc…they can be really adorable and a lot of fun. They can also offer many benefits to your day to day life.

Pets offer health benefits

Having a pet can help with your depression and elevate your levels of serotonin, making you feel better. They can also lower your blood pressure as well as your cholesterol levels and decrease your risk of heart diseases. Moreover, heart attack patients that have pets survive longer than those without.

Pets offer companionship

The good thing about having pets is that you feel less lonely. If you have a pet you’ll never come home to an empty apartment or house and depending on what type of pet you have, you will have a lively household and make it feel less lonely.

Pets can help reduce anxiety

Certain studies have shown that owning a pet can help reduce your anxiety. Whether your anxiety is from loneliness or stress, a pet can help ease your mind. Your pet can offer you physical affection and if you have a dog or cat they can offer deep-pressure therapy like a weighted blanket or pillow would.

Read more:

⋙ Cat or dog: Which pet fits your personality best?

⋙ Here are some money-saving tips for pet owners

⋙ This is why you shouldn't walk your dog everyday

Pets can help you stay active

This also depends on what type of pet you have, but some of them can help you keep active. If you have a dog example, they’ll need regular exercise, meaning you often have to take them out for walks. This can help motivate you to spend more time outside as you know your beloved pooch needs a walk.

If you have a cat you can harness train them and also take them out for regular walks.

Pets can help you make new friends

If you are the type of person who struggles to make friends, having a pet can help with that. If you have a dog you can take them to agility classes where you can meet other dog parents and get to know them. If you meet someone with the same pet as you, it offers common ground to start a conversation and to get to know each other through tips on how to care for your companion.