Pet Care Club

For those who love their pets...

The Benefits of Owning a Pet


By Lizz Cassidy

Any pet owner would tell you that their dog or cat, or any other pet, is more than just an animal, but is a part of the family. The unconditional love that a pet gives has been known to help put a person in a good mood, but there are more benefits to owning a pet than just that – in fact there are plenty of physical and mental benefits to owning a pet.

Getting exercise is the first physical benefit that normally comes to mind when one thinks of benefits to pet owners – especially if the pet is a dog. Walking or playing with any pet is a good way for the pet owner to burn a few calories, and get into better shape, but it’s not the only thing a pet does for its owner’s health.

Studies have been done that show that a pet owner is more likely to survive a life-threatening illness (like a heart attack). In general, people who have a pet are less likely to need to use health services and need less medication than people who don’t own pets. In fact, a study was one by the US Department of Health that showed that 28% of patients who had a heart attack (and who own a pet) survived a serious heart attack. Only 6% of those without a pet survived.

Pet owners usually have a lower level of cholesterol, lower triglycerides and lower blood pressure. People with pets usually have lower heart rates and blood pressure as well. This may all be due to the unconditional love that a pet will give that will relax its owner. The cholesterol level lowers on average 2%, reducing the risk of heart disease because of the lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Pet owners usually have a lower level of cholesterol, lower triglycerides and lower blood pressure. People with pets usually have lower heart rates and blood pressure as well. This may all be due to the unconditional love that a pet will give that will relax its owner. The cholesterol level lowers on average 2%, reducing the risk of heart disease because of the lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Pets actually control blood pressure better than medication – medication lowers blood pressure, but there are still spikes when a person is stressed. A study was done with New York stockbrokers, and the results showed that those who owned a cat or dog had less stress-induced increases in blood pressure.

Surprisingly, owning a pet can also help prevent allergies. Children with a pet of some sort are less likely to develop hay fever or asthma as well as other animal-related allergies. Being around the animal will also build up the child’s immune system.

As well as all the physical benefits of owning a pet, there are also plenty of mental and emotion benefits for people of all ages.

In a family with a pet, children have a tendency to have more self-confidence than children where there isn’t a family pet. These children are also going to be better at social situations, function better emotionally, understand  both verbal and non-verbal communication easier, and are better at coping with family issues (such as parents going through a divorce). During exam times, children with pets are going to be less stressed than those without a pet. Owning a pet is also a good way to teach children about responsibility, and because pets make wonderful playmates, a family pet also decreases tension in the family environment.

Owning a pet can also help in social situations – when you are taking your dog out for a walk can make you appear more approachable, and when you’re visiting with other people, a pat is often a good topic of conversation.

Pet owners are less likely to suffer from stress, depression and anxiety because of the playful nature of animals. Pets offer unconditional love, companionship and will help people to relax - they can help prevent their owners from feeling lonely. Studies have been done that show that people are less likely to feel stressed in a stressful situation if they have a pet with then than if they were to be going through the same situation on their own, or with a friend or family member. Another study done in the UK discovered that people who have been recently widowed show those people with a pet deal with stress a lot better after three months of bereavement than those without a pet. Pets provide comfort and are good to talk to in that period of time.

Many pet owners who have never read these studies would say the same thing – that owning a pet improves both your mental and physical health.





About The Author

Lizz Cassidy is a professional Internet shopper.

< Back to Pet Choices