7 Ways Pets Can Make You Healthier
Keep your health out of the dog house
Owning a dog or a cat is a great deal of responsibility, but it turns out putting in that work is well worth it. A pet not only adds companionship to your life, but also years, by reducing your risk of a variety of conditions and improving your overall health.
Beat depression
The unconditional love your pet gives can do wonders for your mood, says Susan Levy, an internist and geriatrician at the pet-friendly Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore. "One of the major signs of depression is the feeling that life has no value," she says. "When you're responsible for another living thing, it gives you that value, which is key to breaking out of and preventing depression."
Help your heart
Being a pet owner can be a benefit for your heart health, according to a paper published last year by the American Heart Association. The study found owning a pet may reduce your risk for heart disease, not only because dog owners take them on walks, but because sitting and stroking pets lowers blood pressure and pulse rate. Research has even shown that pet owners have lower cholesterol levels as well.
Get more exercise
You can't live a healthy life without exercise, and pet owners, especially those with dogs, report exercising more frequently and living overall healthier lives, Levy says. "Dog owners tend to take their pets for walks," she says, "which is an underrated exercise that can really cut your risk for diseases like diabetes and help you control your weight."
Reduce your stress
Many people see having a pet as stressful, which it can be, says Victor Fornari, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York, but pets can also be one of the best stress relievers available. "When you have a pet, it's a source of unconditional love and companionship, and having that around helps you feel more relaxed," he says. "It's not uncommon that I'll come home after a bad day at work and unwind by taking my dog for a walk -- and at that point, I need the walk more than he does."
Avoid allergies
It sounds counterintuitive, but having a cat or dog may help you kiss those animal allergies goodbye, Levy says. "Since they're exposed to the allergens often growing up, kids with pets are less likely to have animal allergies when they grow up."
Socialize more
Need that push to get out and meet people? Pets, and dogs especially, are perfect for that, Levy says. "We've found that dogs are great at helping people break out of their shell," she says. "We see more socialization and much happier people whenever dogs are around."
Live longer
When you put all the health benefits together, it not only improves your quality of life, but how long you can expect to live as well, Fornari says. "Pets give you a sense of well-being," he says, "and when you have that feeling, your body will be healthier and you will keep your vital signs in the normal range."
Amir Khan is a Health + Wellness reporter at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at akhan@usnews.com.
