Are Pets Good for Your Health? Perks of Pet Ownership
Photo by Chewy on Unsplash.
By Marnie Kunz
Pets can be cute and fun friends and family members, but are pets good for your health? Researchers weigh in on the benefits of pet ownership. From decreasing your blood pressure to improving your mood, pets can boost your health in many ways. As a dog owner, I have experienced the perks of pet ownership firsthand, as I always meet my recommended daily step count numbers. Thanks to my dog, I get outside more and talk to people in my neighborhood a lot, which helps reduce my anxiety and combats my urge to burrow inside and write all the time.
Are Pets Good for Your Health? Science Weighs In
Numerous studies show the physical and mental benefits of pet ownership. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, owning a pet offers many health benefits. Pets can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD, according to the CDC. Having a pet - especially a dog - also improves your activity levels and gets you outside more. Pets can even improve cognitive function in older adults and also boost social interactions with people.
Pets have been linked to improved physical health. According to one study, people who own dogs had better health outcomes after suffering from a major cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke. The benefit was highest for dog owners who lived alone. In research involving nearly 4 million people in the U.S., Canada, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, dog owners were found to live longer, as dog ownership was associated with a 24 percent reduction in all-cause mortality.
Mental Health Benefits of Owning a Pet
Pet ownership also offers mental health benefits. Some of the perks of owning a pet include:
Reduced anxiety levels
Decreased symptoms of PTSD
Better cognitive functioning in older adults
More opportunities to socialize
Improved mood
Reduced effects of stress
According to the National Institutes of Health, interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. As most pet owners know, being around pets can help you feel good and less stressed. Pets also often spur more social interactions - try walking a puppy down the street without getting stopped and chatted with! - and inspire people to get out more. And if you have anxiety or PTSD, a pet can help reduce your symptoms and offer comfort and support.
Fitness Benefits of Owning a Dog
Pets help people get outside more and stay active.
As you can guess, having a dog makes people more active. According to the Department of Health in Australia, having a dog improves cardiovascular fitness, lowers blood pressure, and improves muscle and bone strength. By going for regular walks with your dog, you get in a great low-impact cardio workout that strengthens your heart and boosts your fitness level.
Here are some of the fitness benefits of owning a dog:
Improved cardiovascular fitness
Getting in more daily steps
Stronger bones and muscles
Burning more calories
A less sedentary lifestyle
A longer life expectancy
Picking the Right Pet
If you’re considering adopting a pet, it’s important to find a good match for you. Just as people have different personalities and needs, so do pets. Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle and budget is important. Here are some tips to help you find the right pet:
How much time do you have to dedicate to caring for and exercising your pet? Make sure you have enough time for the pet you adopt. Young animals like puppies and kittens will require the most time commitment initially.
Are pets allowed where you live? Check to make sure you’re aware of any restrictions on size or breeds.
Are all family members on board with getting a pet? Make sure to teach children in the household how to handle pets and choose a pet that has proven to be kid-friendly.
Does anyone in the household have allergies? There are hypoallergenic dogs like poodles and other pets who are a great match for allergy sufferers.
Do you have a budget for veterinary care, which includes regular vaccinations and annual exams as well as illnesses and injuries that will arise? In my experience as a dog owner, vet bills are by far the highest expense of pet ownership, especially as pets get older.
If you’re considering a dog, what type of dog fits your lifestyle? Consider activity level, your personality and your pup’s personality, and grooming and exercise requirements. If you’re an active runner, for instance, you may want to choose one of the best dog breeds for running. For walkers, you will have more flexibility in your options, as any breed of dog will enjoy walking with you.
Do you have a budget for obedience training for a dog? All dogs should have at least an introductory obedience class to teach basic manners and socialize your pup.
If you’re interested in adopting a dog, check out our sister site, Book of Dog, for dog breed information, adoption tips, and dog care resources to help you find the right pup for you and live happily together. Also, for adopting a pet, you can find lots of mixed and purebred dogs and cats, and small pets at your local animal shelter. In NYC, the Animal Care Centers of NYC have thousands of adoptable animals each year in need of good homes. Petfinder is also a great resource to find adoptable pets at shelters and rescues in your area. (Petfinder is also how I found my Akita, Kiyoshi).
Do you have a pet? Share your furry - or scaled or feathered - friend with us by tagging the Runstreet Instagram. If you’re a fellow dog lover, feel free to follow my mischievous Akita at @kiyoshi.nyc on Instagram.
Related Posts: How Blue Zones Can Help You Live Longer, 20 Best Dog-Friendly Places in NYC
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, a dog lover and Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet.
