10 REASONS TO GET... A PET
1 THEY HELP YOU FIGHT DEPRESSION
Britain is a nation of petlo lovers, with almost half of all h households having at least o one (that’s about 20 million pets, excluding fish). It has been shown to be doing us a world of good, both for our p physical and mental health. Keeping one is said to be a ‘natural antidepressant’, as cuddling a furry friend triggers release of the h happy hormones serotonin, p prolactin and oxytocin.
2 DOGS PREVENT HEART ATTACKS ...
Pet-owners, in particular dog-owners, are less likely to develop heart disease, according to a 2013 study by the American Heart Association. Caring f for a pet requires physical activity, which reduces risk factors, and pets can have a positive effect on the body’s reaction to stress.
3 ... CATS DO TOO
A 20-year US study of nearly 4,500 people found that cat-owners ran a 37 per cent lower risk of dying from a heart attack. Researchers suggested that this could be explained by the influence of cats on perception of stress and anxiety, as well as personality traits in cat-owners.
4 CALMING COMPANION
Many elderly people who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s experience confusion and agitation in the evening, known as ‘sundown syndrome’. Studies carried out at residential nursing homes in the US found that the presence of a dog distracted the patient from the aggressive and agitated behaviour, calmed them, reduced perception of loneliness and evoked feelings of happiness.
5 EVEN A FISH CAN BE A FRIEND
Research into the influence of pets on Alzheimer’s patients has found that any pet will do good. An analysis of the positive effects of having pet fish in an Alzheimer’s nursing home in Indiana, US, discovered that patients who would normally pace the room found it easier to relax, and lethargic patients became more attentive, in the presence of an aquarium. The effect on both types of patients was better eating at meal times.
6 KEEP CHILDREN FREE FROM ASTHMA
Children who have pets are less likely to develop asthma. A Swedish study of more than a million children found that those who had been born into a household with at least one dog were 15 per cent less likely to have asthma when they started school. The study also found that children of farm-animal workers were half as likely to develop asthma. It is believed that early exposure to allergens, such as those found in pet fur, can build up the immune system.
7 YOU’LL GET FITTER ...
Having a pet that requires exercise can be an excellent motivator to get off the couch. Studies have found that dogowners are between 30 and 50 per cent more likely to get the 150 minutes of exercise a week recommended by the NHS.
8 ... SO WILL THE FAMILY
A survey carried out among UK dog-owners in 2015 found that four out of five believe having a pet that needs exercise has made at least one member of their family more fit and active. One in ten said their child had lost weight in the previous year thanks to exercise gained by walking the dog.
9 YOU’LL GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Loneliness can have a profound effect on both mental and physical health, and has been linked to higher risk of depression, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. A study of Australians and Americans found that, apart from the benefits of companionship offered by an animal, pet-owners were 60 per cent more likely to get to know people in their neighbourhood than those without furry friends.
10 EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Having a pet in the home can help when dealing with the departure of a loved one. An American study found that children of military staff who were close to a family pet coped better with the emotional stress of having a parent deployed overseas and other difficulties.