If you have been thinking about getting yourself a new pet, you should know that there are a number of scientifically backed reasons to do so. Numerous studies have shown that women can benefit from having a pet of some kind.
BizRate Research conducted a survey involving 901 different pet owners, and they found that over half of the women who participated felt that their pets were more affectionate than their human partners.
-
Having a Pet can Lower your Risk of Heart Disease
Pet research has revealed that there is a definite connection between having a pet and a reduced risk of heart disease. This particular health problem is responsible for killing more North Americans than any other, so getting a new pet might be worth considering.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have stated numerous times that owning a pet can significantly reduce blood pressure, triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels–all of which are major risk factors for heart disease.
Even the American Heart Association (AHA) has concluded that having a pet can help quite a bit when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart. One of the reasons for this conclusion is that pet owners tend to be more active, such as with dog owners who take their pets for walks each day.
Another reason for this connection is that having a pet is closely associated with a more active social life, which can also protect you against heart disease. A study conducted in 2015 found that pet owners were 60 percent more likely than non-pet owners to form social connections with neighbors they didn’t know previously.
There are a number of other studies that have concluded even more shocking results. Some of these studies have found evidence that owning a cat can mean having a healthier heart. A 2009 study found that cat owners were 30 percent less likely to suffer from a heart attack than those who didn’t own any pets at all.
-
Owning a Pet can help you Relieve Stress
A pet can offer you a lot of much-needed emotional support, which can be especially helpful if you tend to get stressed out a lot. Studies show that pets can have a tremendously positive effect on one’s stress and hormone levels. When you get stressed, your cortisol levels shoot up. This is your body’s natural way of reacting to stress, but consistently high coristol levels can be very dangerous to your overall health.
In 2012, researchers discovered through a number of studies that spending only a few minutes with a dog resulted in significantly reduced levels of cortisol in the bloodstream. Even hospital patients with heart failure experienced reduced adrenaline levels after spending just a little bit of time with a dog.
There are also studies that have demonstrated that pets can help with keeping blood pressure and heart rate at a normal or semi-normal level. It’s also worth noting that having a pet around while you are performing a particularly stressful activity, such as trying to solve a difficult math problem, can be particularly beneficial. The less stress you experience while trying to do the activity, the better you will be able to concentrate.
In 2014, a report from the Harvard School of Public Health as well as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation revealed that almost half of all Americans felt more relaxed when they were in close proximity to their pets. Just looking at your pet, even if it’s just a fish in a tank, can help reduce your stress level in a noticeable way. In 2015, researchers reported that those who spend time watching aquariums tend to have a lower blood pressure level.
-
Getting a Pet could help you Live Longer
It’s pretty clear that having a pet can increase the quality of your life in a number of ways, but did you know that owning one could actually extend your life? While it may seem a little farfetched, there is science to back up this assertion.
Research done by Berkeley Wellness indicates that pets can improve the quality of your life, but they also have the potential to help their owners live longer. There is a mountain of evidence that strongly suggests that even doing something as small as petting a dog can immediate reduce your stress level. Pets are capable of improving your mental state and well-being, even helping to treat depression and provide additional emotional and social support.
Some of the most recent pet research that has been conducted suggests that having a pet could help extend your life significantly. A sturdy done in 2016 discovered that older people who have dogs tend to have a lower BMI or body mass index than those who do not. These people benefit from walking their pets on a regular basis. Whether it is in the city or the country, it’s still exercise all the same.
When you are trying to determine which pet is best for you, it’s important that you take a few different factors into consideration. A dog or a horse will almost certainly provide you with more exercise and activity than a cat, but you may not truly enjoy owning one of these pets. It’s important that you get a pet that you will really enjoy having around, because otherwise you most likely won’t benefit from it very much.
A pet is a great investment to make in your own mental and physical health and well-being. Numerous studies done by a lot of different universities and other institutions have come to the same conclusion, which is that owning a pet is highly beneficial to the owner in a variety of ways. If you want to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible, owning a pet is definitely a good choice. In the end you will most likely be glad that you made the decision to get a new pet, whether it is a dog or a goldfish.
