It’s simple: life’s just better with your furry friend by your side. You know it. We know it.
There are hundreds of excellent reasons to get a furry friend in your life. But did you know there are a tonne of health benefits attached to pet ownership?
Don’t just take our word for it, there’s a ton of evidence to back it up. Turns out our pets can help make us healthier as well as happier…
Why Owning a Pet is Good For Your Health
They make us laugh with the funny things they do, cheers us up when we're feeling blue and get us out of the house for a walk or two. All these things are great and they're also some of the 8 key health benefits of pets.
- Reduce stress
- Routine
- Exercise
- Increased self-esteem
- Boosted childhood immune systems
- Dogs are good listeners
- Improve communication skills
- Emotional support
1. Stroking Pets Helps Reduce Stress Levels and Anxiety
Take a group of seriously stressed out humans. Add one rabbit - and even the odd turtle or two. Throw some cuddly toys into the mix as well. Now, ask them to get stroking!
In this study, it was shown that stroking a cuddly toy had no effect, but petting a living creature (even the tortoise) helped bring those anxiety levels right down. It even worked if the participant said they didn’t like animals.
Simply giving your best bud a fuss has also been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce cortisol.
Solid proof that cuddling your buddy will brighten your day and help make you healthier!
2. Pets Keep Us In a Routine
That annoying new boss, money worries, or just a bit of a ‘meh’ day: when something’s getting you down, it can be hard to get it out of your head.
Don’t worry, your buddy’s got it covered. As soon as you walk in the front door, they lose their mind with excitement! Every time they run and grab their lead, demand a cuddle, or remind you that actually it’s play time now.
These are all welcome distractions from a pretty rubbish day. But they also form part of a routine your bestie helping you stick to that routine is one of the core mental health benefits of having a pet. Studies have shown that having stable routines are excellent health drivers.
3. Walkies is More Than Just Fun
Even with the best will in the world, dragging yourself to the gym can be a big ask, especially if it’s raining outside. Or there’s something good on TV. Or actually, yeah… maybe you’ll just go tomorrow instead.
Half an hour’s quality time in the park with your buddy however: that’s another story...
This survey found that, thanks to playtime and daily walks, dog owners get 74 minutes of exercise on average every day, compared to non-owners who get just 18 minutes! But some of these games for cats will have owners moving around more too.
Increased movement through walking or playing is a huge mental and physical health benefit of owning a pet - especially for older adults as research shows it can also help:
- Improve blood flow
- Reduce stress by releasing endorphins
- Improve heart health
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
4. Boost Self Esteem
Lots of non-animal lovers think that people turn to pets because they “don’t click” with people - but nothing could be further from the truth.
Actually, there’s a direct link between having a great relationship with your furry friend and having better human relationships.
It’s healthy to empathise with others - whether they’ve got two legs or four - and sharing experiences, getting into scrapes and even just being there for each other makes us better people. Pets can be a huge part of this.
Additionally, for those who don't have kids or are struggling with social isolation - maybe living away from family and friends, having the responsibility pet ownership can deliver a sense of purpose. It doesn't matter whether its a dog or cat or rabbit or fish, just having something that relies on you is enough.
5. Help Strengthen Kids' Immune System
One study showed that babies from pet-owning families (especially dogs) showed higher levels of microbes linked to lower risks not just of allergic disease, but also obesity.
Research also suggests that kids with pets seem to have fewer colds, and that having a dog could actually reduce the risk of asthma.
Kids and their furry friends spend a lot of time together rolling around, playing and exploring, and this seems to stimulate the immune system and give it a bit of a boost. Physical and mental health help right from the start. Good boy! (And girl)
6. We Listen and We Don’t Judge...
Pets are always there to hear you out. Your pooch will hang on your every word, and won’t interrupt with his own story or butt in with suggestions on what you should do next. We all need a friend like that when something’s on our mind.
Plus, another health benefit to pet ownership that many don't think about is, for children who maybe struggling with reading or speaking and feel self-conscious practicing in front of a grown-up, dogs are the perfect non-judgemental buddy.
It's probably the most wholesome version of human-animal interaction.
7. They Make Superb Wingmen (And Women)
If a happy, healthy relationship is what you’re looking for, your bff could be the ideal wingman?
For one thing, they’re a great icebreaker - whether it’s just as a topic of conversation or bumping into other pet owners in the park. If you struggle with communication skills, pets give us a point of reference - like a rock climber finding a foothold on a tough ascent.
8. Every Pet is an Emotional Support Animal
Loads of owners say that if they're feeling ill or upset, their pet just seems to know. And they’re always available for spooning on the sofa, whenever you need them.
Scientists think it’s down to their awesome sense of smell (for some dog breeds it’s over 100,000 times stronger than ours).
Being ill or upset changes your body chemistry, and it’s thought that our buddies can sniff out and react to these changes, and give you some love when you need it most.
Everypaw Pet Insurance
Everypaw's Pet Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pet will be well looked after.