People today are very preoccupied with their health and things they can do to improve their overall wellbeing. From starting a day with a green juice, jogging, meditating, using natural supplements, improving their diets to religiously putting in time at the gym.
Yet, there might be another way to make great improvement health-wise and save a life along the way – getting a pet!
Adopt a Pet and Become Healthier
Even a cursory look at the pet ownership statistics will tell a poignant tale and, hopefully, inspire you to consider adopting an animal from a shelter.
There are some 14,000 organizations in the US alone that save and shelter abandoned animals, with 6 to 8 million dogs and cats ending up in shelters across America each year. And no matter how lovingly and dedicatedly those who work in shelters try to handle these poor creatures what they truly need is a loving home and a human of their own (and yes, to be spoiled rotten!).
However, it just might be that a human needs an animal just as much. And this animal needs you just as much. By taking in a dog, you become responsible for them. This article helps you cover dog care basics, including nutrition, grooming, and exercise throughout the years.
Health Benefits of Owning a Dog
The best part is that this is not a one-way relationship. People who have a pet are healthier, happier and much more active. This is especially true for people who own dogs.
Since dogs need their daily walks their owners are 54% more likely to reap the benefits of getting enough active time too. In fact, owning a dog could decrease the risk of heart disease-related death by 36% as per one study in Sweden.
Owning a pet is even more important for people who struggle with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety as science proved that sharing a life with a dog will help in managing those conditions.
Additionally, owning a dog can actually help you to have a better social life as animals often serve as a great way to meet people.
Cats and Their Special Medicinal Mojo
Cats have always been somewhat controversial. From being worshiped as god-like figures in Ancient Egypt to being considered a bad omen and faithful witches’ familiars, these gracious creatures have always provoked fierce emotions in people. Today, the US is the country that has the most cats in the world and they certainly bring their own special kind of magic once they move in with you.
Being a cat owner means that you are more likely to be more relaxed as they lower stress levels in humans hence lowering the risk of heart disease. Additional perks include sleeping better, having exclusive access to their purring sessions which can help you heal muscle, tendons, and bones and helping you handle anxiety better.
Having a cheeky tabby in the house could be especially useful for parents with young children as that can aid in suppressing allergies later in life.
Conclusion
Animals have been treasured human companions for thousands of years and will continue to be so in the future. Science has proven time and again how human health benefits from having an animal as a pet and how these amazing creatures change our lives for the better.
It is enough to think of service dogs without whom the quality of life for special needs people would be considerably lower to understand the tremendous influence they can have. Children with autism benefit enormously when a pet is introduced into their household.
In fact, more and more people dealing with mental health issues are now handling their condition better because they have so-called emotional support animals with them, even when they travel.
At the end of the day, a lovely walk with your devoted canine or a cuddle on the sofa with a purring ball of fluff might be the only thing you need to recharge and feel better.
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