How caring pets makes affect on our Health and mood
One of the research says that Caring pets makes you
healthier and it also affects your mood. Professionally-trained helper
animals—such as guide dogs for the blind—offer obvious benefits to humans.
However, the average domestic pet, such as a dog, cat—even a goldfish—can also
provide us with many therapeutic benefits. Pets can ease loneliness, reduce
stress, promote social interaction, encourage exercise and playfulness, and
provide us with unconditional love and affection.
How
pets can affect mood and health
While most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys
that come with sharing their lives with companion animals, many remain unaware
of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure
of playing with or snuggling up to a furry friend. It’s only recently that
studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal
bond. Studies have found that:
Pet owners are
less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
People with pets
have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.
Playing with a pet
can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
Pet owners have
lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those
without pets.
Heart attack
patients with pets survive longer than those without.
Pet owners over
age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
A pet doesn’t have
to be a dog or a cat. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle
tension and pulse rate.
One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that
most pets fulfill the basic human need to touch. Even hardened criminals in
prison have shown long-term changes in their behavior after interacting with
pets, many of them experiencing mutual affection for the first time. Stroking,
holding, cuddling, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and
soothe us when we’re stressed. The companionship of a pet can also ease
loneliness, and some pets are a great stimulus for healthy exercise, which can
substantially boost mood.
How
pets can help to make healthy lifestyle changes
Adopting healthy lifestyle changes can play an important
role in easing symptoms of depression, stress, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and
anxiety. Caring for a pet can help with those healthy lifestyle changes by:
Increasing
exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to involve boring repetition at a gym. Taking a
dog for a walk, riding a horse, or simply chasing a kitten around are fun ways
to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule.
Providing
companionship. Isolation and loneliness can make disorders such as depression
even worse. Caring for a living animal can help make you feel needed and
wanted, and take the focus away from your problems. Most pet owners talk to
their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles.
Helping meet new
people. Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners. Dog owners
frequently stop and talk to each other on walks or in a dog park. Pet owners
also meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes.
Reducing anxiety.
The companionship of a dog can offer comfort, help ease anxiety, and build
self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world.
Adding structure
and routine to your day. Many pets, especially dogs, require a regular feeding
and exercise schedule. No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or
stressed—you’ll always have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for
your pet.
Providing sensory
stress relief. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage
stress. This could involve petting a cat or taking a dog for a walk.
Pets
and older adults
The key to aging well is to effectively handle life’s
major changes, such as retirement, the loss of loved ones, and the physical
changes of aging. Pets can play an important role in healthy aging by:
Helping you find
meaning and joy in life. As you age, you’ll lose things that previously
occupied your time and gave your life purpose. You may retire from your career
or your children may move far away. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure and
help boost your morale and optimism. Taking care of an animal can also provide
a sense of self-worth.
Staying connected.
Maintaining a social network isn’t always easy as you grow older. Retirement,
illness, death, and moves can take away close friends and family members. And
making new friends can get harder. Dogs especially are a great way for seniors
to spark up conversations and meet new people.
Boosting vitality.
You can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by
taking good care of yourself. Pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and
exercise, which can help boost your immune system and increase your energy.
Pets
and adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
As part of the disease, Alzheimer’s patients may exhibit
a wide variety of behavioral problems, many related to an inability to deal
with stress.
Research at the University of
California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine concluded that Alzheimer's
patients suffer less stress and have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a pet
in the home.
Pets can provide a source of
positive, nonverbal communication. The playful interaction and gentle touch
from a well-trained, docile animal can help soothe an Alzheimer’s patient and
decrease aggressive behavior.
In many cases a patient’s problem
behavior is a reaction to the stressed response of the primary caretaker. Pets
can help ease the stress of caregivers. Cats or caged animals may be more
suitable than dogs, which generally require more care and can add to the burden
of someone who’s already looking after an Alzheimer’s patient.
Pets
and children
Not only do children who grow up with pets have less risk
of allergies and asthma, many also learn responsibility, compassion, and
empathy from having pets. Unlike parents, pets are never critical and don’t
give orders. They are always loving and their mere presence at home can help
provide a sense of security in children. Having an ever-present dog or cat, for
example, can help ease separation anxiety in children when mom and dad aren’t
around. Studies have also shown that pets can help calm hyperactive or overly
aggressive kids. Of course, both the pet and the child need to be trained to
behave appropriately with each other.
Children and adults alike can benefit from playing with
pets, which can be both a source of calmness and relaxation, as well as a
source of stimulation for the brain and body. Playing with a pet can even be a
doorway to learning for a child. It can stimulate a child’s imagination and
curiosity. The rewards of training a dog to perform a new trick, for example,
can teach kids the importance of perseverance. Caring for a furry friend can
also offer another benefit to a child: immense joy.
Children
with learning and other disorders
Some children with autism or other learning difficulties
are better able to interact with pets than people. Autistic children often rely
on nonverbal cues to communicate, just as pets do. And learning to first
connect with a cat or dog, for example, may even help an autistic child in
their interactions with people.
Pets can help children with learning
disabilities learn how to regulate stress and calm themselves, making them
better equipped to overcome the challenges of their disorder.
Playing and exercising with a pet can
help a child with learning disorders stay alert and attentive throughout the
day. It can also be a great antidote to stress and frustration caused by the
learning disability.
Learning to ride a horse can help
elevate the self-esteem of disabled children, putting them on a more equal
level with kids without disabilities.
Finding
a pet that meets your needs and lifestyle
While people who have pets tend to be happier, more
independent, and feel more secure than those without pets, it’s important to
select the type of pet that is best for you. You’ll benefit most from having a
pet whose needs are compatible with your lifestyle and physical capabilities.
Lifestyle considerations that influence your choice in a
pet
Little outdoor activity – If most of
your time is spent at home, consider pets that would be happy to stay with you
in that environment. You may enjoy playing with or cuddling a cat or a bunny;
watching fish or reptiles; or talking or singing along with a bird.
High activity level – If you’re more
active and enjoy daily activities outside of your home, especially walking or
running, a dog might be right for you. Canine companions thrive on outdoor
exercise, keeping you on the move.
Small children and the elderly –
Families with small children or elderly living in their homes should consider
the size and energy level of a pet. Puppies and kittens are usually very
active, but delicate creatures that must be handled with care. Large or
rambunctious dogs could accidentally harm or knock over a small child or adult
who is unsteady on their feet.
Other animals in household – Consider
the ongoing happiness and ability to adjust of the pets you already have. While
your cat or a dog might love to have an animal friend to play with, a pet that
has had exclusive access to your attentions may resent sharing you.
Home environment – If a neat, tidy
home, free of animal hair, occasional muddy footprints and “accidents” is
important, then a free-roaming dog or long-haired cat may not be the best
choice. You may want to choose pets that are confined to their quarters, such
as fish, birds, hamsters, or reptiles.
Landscaping concerns – With certain
pets, your landscaping will suffer. Many dogs will be tempted to dig holes in
your lawn, and dog urine can leave yellow patches—some say unaltered females cause
the most damage.
Time commitment – Finally, and
perhaps most importantly, keep in mind that you’ll be making a commitment that
will last the lifetime of the pet – perhaps 10, 15, or 20 years with a dog or
cat; as many as 30 years or more with a bird.
Choosing between a dog or a cat
Dogs and cats are the most common household pets. While
on occasion, you’ll see someone walking a cat on a leash or a dog that uses a
litter box, typically the needs and natural behaviors of dogs and cats are
different:
Owning
a pet is not for everyone
Having a pet is not a miracle cure for mental illness.
Owning a pet is beneficial and comforting only for those who love and
appreciate domestic animals. If you’re simply not a “pet person,” pet ownership
is not going to provide you with any therapeutic benefits or improve your life.
For other people, owning a pet may simply not be practical. Some of the
drawbacks are:
Pets cost money. Food bills,
veterinary care, licenses, grooming costs, toys, bedding, boarding fees, and other
maintenance expenses can mount up. The unemployed or the elderly, on limited
fixed incomes, may find it difficult to afford a pet.
Pets require time and attention. As
any dog owner will tell you, there’s nothing therapeutic about coming home to a
dog that has been locked up in the house on his own all day long. Dogs need
daily exercise to stay calm and well-balanced; most other pets require at least
daily care and attention. Pets can even curb some social activity, as they can
only be left alone for a limited time.
Pets can be destructive. Any pet can
have an occasional accident at home. Some cats may be prone to shredding
upholstery, some dogs to chewing shoes. While training can help eradicate
negative, destructive behavior, they remain common in animals left alone
without exercise or stimulation for long periods of time.
Pets require responsibility. Most
dogs, regardless of size and breed, are capable of inflicting injury on people
if not handled responsibly by their owners. Even cats can scratch or bite. Pet
owners need to be alert to any danger, especially around children.
Pets carry health risks for some
people. While there are some diseases that can be transmitted from cats and
dogs to their human handlers, allergies are the most common health risk of pet
ownership. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a pet allergy,
carefully consider whether you can live with the symptoms before committing to
pet ownership. Also consider that some friends or relatives with allergies may
no longer be able to visit your home if you have a pet.
Reducing
Health Risks From a Pet
Kids, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune
systems are at greater risk for getting sick from animals. Take these steps to
reduce your risk:
Wash hands thoroughly after contact
with animals.
Keep your pet clean and healthy, and
keep vaccinations up to date.
Supervise children under age 5 while
they’re interacting with animals.
Prevent kids from kissing their pets
or putting their hands or other objects in their mouths after touching animals.
Avoid changing litter boxes during
pregnancy. Problem pregnancies may arise from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic
disease spread by exposure to cat feces.
Alternatives
to pet ownership
If full-time pet ownership is not right for you—or if you
want to give pet ownership a trial run before making a commitment—some animal
shelters offer pet “rental” programs. Dogs or cats that are available for
adoption can be rented out for walks or play dates. If you already own a pet but
travel frequently and miss your furry companion when you’re on the road, some
hotels offer similar pet rental services. Guests can borrow a dog for a day to
play with or take out on walks.
Animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities
Animal-assisted therapy involves the use of volunteers’
animals such as horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and fish to interact with
patients suffering from disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety
disorders, eating disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism
and a host of developmental disabilities. The animals have been shown to
improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Pets can also be used for animal-assisted activities. A
variety of different organizations offer specially trained animals to visit
people in children’s hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes,
hospice programs, shelters, and schools. During these visits, people are
invited to pet and stroke the animals. Some might groom a dog, hold a rabbit in
their lap, or have a cat sit on their bed, for example. Some dogs perform
tricks or obedience routines to
entertain patients and help take their minds off their problems.
Image Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/844303
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