The Benefits of Having a Pet

Pet lovers already know the many health benefits of cuddling up with their furry friends. Pets provide us with so much more than companionship. Although there are responsibilities with pet ownership, the benefits greatly out weigh the work.

Pets give us benefits not always readily available from our human companions and that's unconditional love and acceptance. Our pets are always there for us and they are great listeners! A pet never judges us and they continue to love us in spite of our flaws and mistakes. That simple fact can be a stress reducer. Sometimes it's difficult to get that kind of support from human companions.

If you've ever come home from a tough day and have a pet to greet you at the door, you probably already know the stress reducing benefits of pet ownership. The simple act of petting our dog or cuddling with a purring cat can lower our stress, heart rate and blood pressure. They help us forget about feeling ill and can help us forget we're in pain as well. Most of the time our pets are so sensitive to our feelings, they already know when we don't feel well or even when we're sad.

Pets really seem to have a psychic ability that goes beyond human understanding. These are benefits readily recognized by animal lovers. Some dogs have proven this ability time and time again when someone is going to experience an epileptic seizure. This phenomenon can't be easily explained by science, but dog lovers know it needs no explanation.

The medical community is even coming to the realization that pets are beneficial to us in the healing process. This is the reason for allowing pet therapy in hospitals and nursing homes. Children experience benefits from the visitation of animals when they are ill or in a recovery situation. Even looking at pictures of the sweet loving faces of pets can be calming and watching a fish swim in an aquarium has similar benefits. It is very relaxing to watch the quiet movement of the fish in the water. People often experience the same soothing benefits with pet birds as their companions as well.

I know when I'm feeling sick. I want my dog near me. She soothes me in a way no one else can. I developed vertigo a few months ago and began experiencing terribly frightening episodes with it. My dog always knew when I was feeling sick and there was no doubt in my mind by her actions she knew something was wrong with me. She would be very attentive, lay beside me and give lots of extra kisses. I could tell by the way she looked at me she knew something was different and she also knew when I was feeling better. She felt free to go about her usual activities and no longer would seem worried. Dogs are truly amazing pets and they are one of our greatest gifts to enjoy on earth.

Pets also teach children about responsibility, as well as love, life and loss. The lessons can be painful but teach the reality of life and death to children. Often the loss of a pet is a child's first experience of death and while it's not a pleasant lesson, it does teach them coping skills that can't be learned in any other way except through the experience.

I will always remember my first childhood pet and the many tears I shed as a child when she became ill with cancer. This little dog had been my constant companion and her loss was so hard for me to understand. Then only five years later my mother was also struck with cancer and later died. I began to understand the significance of my first lesson of loss and grief. There are so many things we can learn from pets if our hearts and minds are receptive.

If you've ever lived alone, then you know how much pets can cure loneliness. When we have a dog as our pet, then we are more likely to exercise also. We'll do for them what we sometimes won't do for ourselves and that's okay. Motivation is a good thing. Another wonderful benefit of dog ownership is security. Of course when you have a dog for a pet, you have to be home at a certain time to let them go outside, whereas a cat allows more flexibility in that area. Either way, owning a pet is a responsibility to be taken seriously and it isn't for everyone. But for those of us that gladly accept that responsibility, we know the benefits will be greatly multiplied and well worth our efforts.