Our furry friends may impact our health and well-being more than we think.
Sure, having a pet comes with a number of pros and cons. For instance:
- Pros — getting some affection after a bad day and having a photogenic character for your social media page.
- Cons — constantly having to vacuum when they shed and financing the ever-more-expensive treats they can’t seem to get enough of.
Yet research has shown that having pets can also have both positive and negative effects on our health and well-being. So, what are some of the possible results of owning a pet?
Improved Mental Health
Pets can have a positive impact on your mental health, per CBS News.
They can reduce loneliness and alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
When you look into your pet’s eyes and pet them, your body releases oxytocin, which is also known as the love hormone. Petting a dog can also reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
For these reasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that pets can decrease blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and lessen feelings of anxiety.
One study conducted in the United Kingdom found that university students also benefited from spending time with well-behaved furry friends. The participants reported a significant decline in anxiety and an improved mood.
While there is an ongoing national debate about the validity of emotional support animals, pet therapy programs have become popular in recent decades, particularly in hospitals.
Children’s Medical Center in Dallas has a pet therapy program that is partly funded by PetSmart Charities. Together with their handlers, eight full-time facility dogs make the rounds visiting patients’ hospital rooms, the ambulatory clinic, and playrooms.
Other volunteer groups like Paws Across Texas and Pet Partners also regularly serve at Children’s Medical.
More Exercise and Better Heart Health
Studies have indicated that having a pet, notably a dog, can have a favorable impact on our overall physical fitness.
A survey conducted in the UK found that dog owners were four times more likely than people without dogs to meet the local authority’s recommended physical activity guideline of 150 minutes per week.
In fact, dog owners walked on average approximately 200 minutes more per week than their dogless counterparts.
Of course, regular physical activity does wonders for our heart health.
Studies from the American Heart Association have also shown that dog ownership is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.
It also makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity is linked to an array of negative health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some types of cancer, and depression.
Dallas-Fort Worth has some of the highest obesity rates in the nation.
As Isabella Ferrari, a dietitian from Doherty Nutrition told The Dallas Express, one of the biggest factors contributing to this problem is that DFW is “not very walkable.”
Dallas County even tried to raise public awareness about heart disease and its connection to insufficient physical activity and being overweight, as The Dallas Express reported earlier this year.
Disrupted Sleep
Of course, pet ownership is not all rainbows and cuddles.
Sleep deprivation is one way having a pet might negatively affect your health.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep at night — which amounts to at least seven hours for adults, per CDC — is vital for the functioning of the body and the mind. Poor sleep can lead to increased feelings of anxiety or depression, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
One study from researchers in Tennessee revealed that owning a pet is associated with lower sleep quality. Specifically, having a dog increased the likelihood of experiencing sleep disorders and difficulty sleeping, while owning a cat raised the chances of leg jerks during sleep.
If you’re a pet parent who shares a bed with your furry friend, you may not be surprised by these findings.
Pets that take up space or have nighttime antics can disrupt your sleep patterns, per CBS News.
“Caregiver Burden”
As much joy as pets bring, caring for a sick animal can be emotionally and financially draining.
A study in Ohio in 2017 found that caring for a chronically or terminally ill pet can result in a significant “caregiver burden.”
“Think of the phrase, ‘Giving until it hurts,'” a clinical neuropsychologist and the study’s author Mary Beth Spitznagel told CBS News.
The emotional toll can be similar to that experienced when caring for a sick family member.
What to Consider Before Getting a Pet
Pet ownership can have both positive and negative effects on your health and well-being.
If you’re considering adding a pet to your household, it’s essential to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks and ensure you have the resources to care for them properly.
The CDC provides a list of questions that it might be useful to ask when trying to decide on a pet.
These include:
- How much exercise does the pet need?
- How long will it live?
- How much will its veterinary care cost?
- Is there anyone at home with a weak immune system?
- Do I have enough time to take care of the pet?
