6 Reasons Why Owning a Pet Actually Benefits Your Health

You probably own at least one dog or cat simply because you love the furry animals. You probably don't even realize that these adorable pets are not only adding happiness and affection to your life, but they are also improving your fitness! Read this informative article and find out 6 reasons why owning a pet actually benefits your health.

Dogs and cats are common household pets, but they aren't the only type of animals that can bring love and joy to our lives. No matter what kind of pets you own- a bird, mouse, gerbil, hamster, turtle, or even a snake- these creatures can give us love, exercise, tranquillity, companionship, and, in some cases, the will to survive.

1. Love Makes the World Go 'Round
Everyone has the need to feel loved. Pets give us unconditional love. What more could we ask for? Pets don't talk back, they don't argue, they don't talk about us behind our backs, and they don't leave us for someone else. Pet owners often develop a strong bond with their charges, even if they're not cuddly animals like birds or turtles.

2. Owning a Pet Brightens Our Days
Research shows that owning a pet can help us fight depression and the blues. Afterall, who can feel down when Kitty crawls up on your lap and looks at you with those soft, loving eyes, purring loudly the whole time? Engaging in a fun activity with your pet can also help raise the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain. These neurotransmitters help regulate your moods. People who suffer from insomnia, loss of appetite and depression often have a low amount of serotonin.

3. All Pets Give Us Beneficial Exercise
No matter what type of pet you own, whether it be a dog, cat, horse, mouse, turtle or bird, all of these creatures need a certain amount of daily care. Walking your dog, grooming your cat or feeding a horse can add healthy exercise to your daily routine.

4. Calming Therapy for the Body and Soul
Another reason why owning a pet actually benefits your health is they can help calm us down naturally without harmful pills or drugs. Petting a cat, playing with your dog, riding a horse or teaching your bird- all of these activities can relieve tension and lower your blood pressure.

5. Pets Are Excellent Conversation Starters
Anytime you can cut the tension with a knife at a party and you're dumbfounded about how to start a conversation, just talk about your pets! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, "about 60 percent of all households in the United States have a pet." So, you have a high chance of meeting other devoted pet owners anytime you're in public.

6. Dogs and Cats Build Healthy Immunity Systems
It was once thought that kids who were raised up in a home with dogs and cats were likely to develop pet allergies and asthma. But, further studies have squashed that initial idea. It's now been proven that those same kids have a lower risk of acquiring those health problems. Owning a pet actually benefits your health by helping the human body build a healthier immune system.