We associate immense joy and excitement with adding pets to our homes. After all, with no extra effort, they bring so much laughter and comfort into our lives. However, some people wonder about the deep bond between humans and the beasts and if they significantly they contribute to each other’s well-being.
Well, science answers that for us. From companionship, loyalty, or unconditional love to the promotion of physical activity, stress reduction, and enhancement of social activity there are multiple benefits pets bring. Let’s explore.
Benefits of Keeping Pets at Home
- Pets make your brain sharper: Studies reveal that petting furry animals has a significant effect on human brains. Pets activate the frontal cortex section in the brain which is responsible for how people think and feel. The data from the studies suggests that when humans interact with pets it gives a boost to the emotional and cognitive activities in the brain.
- Pets delay memory loss: Another study discovered that having pets at home and interacting with them delays the loss of memory and cognitive decline.
- Pets make your heart healthy: People who own pets have a lower risk of death, have lower levels of blood pressure, and are better equipped to respond to stress. All these contribute to enhanced heart health and reduce the chances of heart disease.
- Pets help you cope better: Pets can help people heal during tough times. A study that was conducted by Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine revealed that people suffering from PTSD coped better physiologically and psychologically when they had a pet around with a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms.
- Pets get you a date: In another study by Pet Wingman, it was found that people who uploaded a profile picture with their pet on dating websites were more likely to get a date faster and a woman’s phone number.
- Pets make you healthier: Most pets need a walk or some kind of outdoor activity to be fit and healthy and so does everyone else. Hence if people accompany their pets for a walk or to run around in the park, the activity adds to their fitness routine and becomes more active.
- Pets ensure you are never lonely: Pets are a boon for people who live alone. The joy of someone greeting them when they return from work or outdoors is priceless. Additionally, pets always listen. Hence a lot of people find themselves talking and sharing with their pets without the fear of being judged. The snuggling up next to the person offers a lot of comfort and assurance to people too. Specially abled kids find it very easy to talk to pets and feel more loved and accepted.
- Pets help you socialize: With the idea of keeping pets gaining popularity, numerous communities have been formed by common pet lovers who meet and discuss issues and epiphanies about their pets and also make new friends. Many people have found their special ones due to the common love they share about pets.
- Pets improve your immunity: This may sound a little strange but pets can boost a person’s immunity by bringing multiple germs at home. These germs build a person’s immunity to colds and other mild infections. Studies have surprisingly revealed that babies around dogs have fewer infections and are healthier compared to other Babies.
- Pets prevent allergies: This one sounds tricky too. While some people may have fur allergies and may want to keep pets away, the ones who are not allergic may be protected against allergies due to the presence of a substance called dander in the fur of pets.
- Pets can sense cancer: Many pet owners, especially dog owners have reported that their pets have sensed something wrong in their bodies and have continuously licked and sniffed at the area where the tumour was located under their skin.
- Pets make kids responsible: Being around pets teaches kids to care for them, like cleaning their cages, ensuring they are fed on time, their health needs, etc. Caring for pets also teaches kids to become kinder, more nurturing, empathetic, and compassionate. All these are life skills that help children grow as better humans.
The bond between animals and humans is indeed special and this symbiosis seems to be created by nature itself and the benefits are deep and diverse. Next time you see someone walking by with a pet you probably know that the two of them may be helping each other in more ways than one and creating a safe space for themselves to learn and grow.
