ANIMAL magic
THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO OWNING A PET
Getting a pet is not a decision to be made lightly. They can be noisy, smelly and disruptive, and leave hair all over the house. They can cost a small fortune in vet’s fees and restrict how often you can go away. But the benefits of having a pet outweigh the downsides. Here’s why:
THEY’RE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH
A Cambridge University study found that owning a pet can lead to improvements in general health that can be seen in just one month.
Pet owners suffer from fewer ailments such as headaches, colds and hayfever.
Another study showed that people with pets have a better chance of avoiding a heart attack. They tend to have lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure, which all play a part in heart disease.
The drop in blood pressure levels is the equivalent to going on a low salt diet or cutting down on alcohol. And pet owners are more likely to survive after having a heart attack.
Meanwhile, stroking a pet – or even just watching your fish swim around their aquarium – is a great stress buster. Even the mere presence of a pet seems to reduce the heart rate.
Dog owners are more likely to get outside and be active, perhaps walking the dog or throwing a ball for it, which not only helps with stress and heart disease but also general health.
A study in the US Journal of Paediatrics found that children who are regularly around a dog during their first year of life have higher immune response and fewer respiratory tract infections than those who don’t have any canine contact.
THEY HELP TO RELIEVE THE EFFECTS OF STRESS
Pets have psychological benefits. They decrease the effects of stress and help with mental health issues such as depression.
Research shows that people with an illness are less likely to develop depression caused by being sick if they own a pet.
And people with a range of psychiatric illnesses tend to be happier if they share their lives with a beloved animal.
They can also have a calming effect on children who are prone to getting easily upset and suffering meltdowns. Children with autism have lower blood pressure and better cognitive abilities when they get therapy dogs.
Meanwhile, older people who live on their own can find their loneliness and feelings of isolation are eased if they have a pet.
Animals tend to give you unconditional love and it feels great having a cat that purrs loudly when you stroke them, or a dog who goes into a tail-wagging frenzy because they’re so happy to see you.
THEY TEACH YOUR KIDS LIFE LESSONS
One of the greatest benefits children gain from having a pet is learning to be empathetic and compassionate.
It can bring out their nurturing and caring side, and also helps to teach them to be responsible, especially if they are put in charge of feeding and cleaning up after their pet.
Research has shown that children who grow up with a pet in their home tend to have higher self-esteem and be less self-centred. They also have better social skills.
And some experts suggest that children who struggle with reading should try reading aloud to their pets. They’ve found that kids who do this – knowing they won’t be judged for being slow or making mistakes – are more successful in learning to read.
Kids who have seen the ups and downs of life thanks to having a pet – for example, who’ve experienced the death of a furry family member – may be better able to deal with bereavement and grief.