The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.George Eliot

If you have a pet I am pretty sure they are a great source of pleasure to you. Hopefully they are an important part of your family, with their own unique personality and behaviour patterns. It may interest you to know then that owning a pet can bring with it many benefits to your mental and physical wellbeing. If you don't have a pet, then discover some of the reasons why it may be worthwhile getting one.

The psychological benefits

A confidante

You've had a terrible day and you just need to vent. However your friends aren't available, your partner is at work and you don't see your counsellor until Friday. Fortunately, you can just sit and talk to your pet. They may or may not understand you. Not that it matters: at least it means you can say what you want without fear of reproach. Because they don't judge you. Even better, you can truly be yourself around your pet.

Reduces loneliness

You are not alone with a pet. What a good feeling it is when your cat curls up on your lap or comes to greet you at the door. Or you're working at your desk and they decide to visit you for no apparent reason. A number of studies add support to this idea. Research conducted at Ohio State University found university students who owned a pet were less stressed, lonely and depressed compared to those who did not have a pet. Other research reports that homeless young people who had pets were less lonely and were in better health than those without.

Even a robot dog can be a companion to someone. Residents of a nursing home in the US had regular visits from either a real dog, a robot dog or no visit at all. After seven weeks the residents had formed attachments to their dog visitor, whether they were real or not and found them to be a great source of comfort.

Mood booster

If you've ever watched TV programs like Funniest Home Videos, you will be aware of how frequently the actions of pets bring laughter and smiles. Furthermore, being entertained by a pet will be good for the family as a whole. Caring for a pet is a common interest shared by each member and each person will develop their own relationship with the animal.

If pets boost mood, then presumably they can help prevent the onset of depression. One particular study showed how men with AIDS who owned a pet were less likely to suffer from depression, compared to those who did not have such a companion. People with HIV and AIDS are at a greater risk of developing depression.

Self-esteem

Pet ownership has to be good for your self-esteem. You get to learn new skills and increase your knowledge as you discover more about your animal and the things you need to do to look after them. Seeing them thrive will be a boost to your confidence. Sharing what you have learned with others will also increase your self-worth.

Develop empathy and caring

Having a pet offers you a chance to develop your empathy skills. Animals may not be as expressive as humans, but any pet lover will know when their pet is feeling down or in pain. It also means you are putting the needs of another ahead of your own. Thinking of another (whether person or animal) takes your mind off your own concerns. If you are prone to getting stuck in your head, this can be a good thing.

In addition, for some pet owners, it is an opportunity to carry out an act of kindness to the community. There are organisations people can join to offer their pets up as therapists. Their pet (generally dogs) visits nursing homes and hospitals. One example of this is Therapy Dogs in the US.

The physical benefits

Stress reduction

Given the psychological benefits associated with pets, it is not surprising to learn that they are a great way to reduce stress. If you experience stress long term, you put yourself at risk of some serious health problems. These include: heart disease, diabetes, ulcers, asthma and migraines.

However, having a pet can relieve stress in a number of ways. Simply stroking or cuddling your pet has been shown to lower blood pressure, slow down your heart rate, your muscles are no longer tensed and breathing returns to normal. All the things you would want from a stress reliever. Stroking your pet may even release endorphins - a natural pain reliever and stress reducer. It has also been shown that simply having your pet near you at times of stress, may reduce your stress-related symptoms. Bear this in mind if you have to make a difficult phone call.

Lower lipid levels

Lipids are a type of fat found in the blood that is linked with diabetes. Cholesterol is a lipid and high levels of the bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) put you at risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Another type of lipid is triglycerides and this can also increase the risk of heart disease if it is present at high levels.

People who own pets tend to have lower lipid levels compared to people who do not have pets. It is possible that the extra activity involved in having a pet may explain these differences.

Exercise

If you own a dog it is the perfect way of getting exercise. Come rain or shine, your puppy will want to be walked. Physical exercise benefits you both physically and mentally. Your daily walk is also a chance to meet other people. Meeting other dog owners, means you instantly have something in common.

Getting exercise outside alone can be a safety concern particularly for women. These feelings can be greatly decreased with a dog by your side.

Research has shown that children who have a dog are less likely to be overweight than those without. They offer the child opportunities for play, even if it is just around the house.

Pet therapy

When clinicians use pets as part of their work, you can be certain that there is something good about the process. There are numerous examples of health professionals taking their dogs to work with them. Here are some examples I came across. A physiotherapist takes her dog to work with her at the hospital she works in at Harborview Medical Centre, Seattle. Another dog makes visits to patients at Bellevue's Overlake hospital in Washington. In the 1960s, Boris Levinson a child psychiatrist used his dog Jingles in therapy with his young patients. In Montrose, there is a mental health clinician whose dog is involved in therapy sessions with children. Even Great Ormond Street Hospital is taken with the idea, with Ripley the dog visiting sick children.

Tips for getting the most from your pet

Think of creative ways you can spend time with your pet, so as to make things more interesting for the both of you. Be on the lookout for new play opportunities, inventing games that will get you both thinking.
If you want to enhance your chances of happiness and are not sure which pet to get, go for tropical fish. Research by Wiseman at the University of Hertfordshire found tropical fish owners to be the most content amongst pet owners.
Take advantage of the opportunity pets give you to be kind to another.
If you don't have a pet, you could get your fix by helping out at a local shelter. Volunteering increases happiness and you're doing something good for the animals.
Take photos of your pets. Even better film them.
Know that it is okay to have your pet as a member of the family and not just part of the furniture. So make sure you don't forget their birthday!
Don't forget animal shelters if you are thinking about getting a pet. How great, rescuing an animal that will consequently be a source of joy for you.

Copyright Julia Barnard

Julia Barnard is a counsellor and author living in Adelaide, Australia. You can discover more ways to be happy and healthy by reading her free ebook: 50 Ways to Increase Your Happiness.

How Pet Health Care Teaches Responsibility

"For the last time, no you can't have a dog!" Ten words which will be familiar to parents all over the country, whose children have begged, pleaded, kicked and screamed. They're often very reluctant to allow their children to get a pet since it will be mum or dad organising the pet health care when the novelty has worn off and the puppy has become a dog.

It's certainly true that children rarely consider the implications of taking on such a big commitment as an animal which has a good chance of still being alive when they leave for university in ten years' time. They don't necessarily understand the pet health care requirements of a dog or the financial commitment that feeding one for fifteen or more years can entail.

For some children, though, perhaps this commitment could be a fantastic learning process. Taking on pet health care, feeding and walking a dog is a fantastic way to learn about responsibility and many children will thrive when required to take charge. Having a living, breathing being rely entirely upon them for everything is a guaranteed way for a child to learn maturity, responsibility and commitment.

It is vital that those parents who do agree to allow their child to get a pet set boundaries and rules before bringing home the pet. The child must be made fully aware that they animal will be relying on them for everything, what the pet will need to be properly looked after and the consequences if the pet isn't cared for. These should not be underemphasised; on the contrary, the child is likely to be more responsible for their pet if they are aware that health problems may result from lack of care. Parents should also underline that the pet is the child's responsibility and that they won't be walking the dog when the child doesn't feel like it and it's raining.

Being responsible for pet health care can teach children a lot about maturity and responsibility. Very young children may not be able to cope with the commitment and could perhaps be left responsible for the cleaning and feeding of goldfish or a hamster. Older children are more inclined towards bigger pets like dogs and cats. The next time your child implores you to get a pet, have a discussion about responsibility and pet health care needs. They'll either agree and have a chance to learn a lot, or, terrified of the responsibility quickly change their mind; parents can't lose.

Jess Moss is a writer from England. She enjoys writing about current affairs, animals and pet health care. Visit http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ for more information.

Pets Benefit Your Health

People love having pets. They are loyal friends that have comforted people for years. But did you know that having a pet can actually benefit your health? For the past 25 years, research has shown that people that live with pets tend to be healthier than those who do not. Pets have been proven to do a number of things to help improve your health - including lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and even improving mood.

The Calming Effect

Pets help keep people healthy and active both physically and mentally. Research has reported finding pet owners to be less stressed than non-pet owners. People with less stress tend to also be more physically healthy. For example, pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure and be at a lower risk for heart disease.

One study done at the New York State University at Buffalo studied 48 male and female stock brokers who suffered from high blood pressure and no other medical disorders. The participants all lived alone with no pet for at least five years. Half of the participants were given a pet to take home and the other half were not. After six months, researchers found that the group of stockbrokers that now had pets also had significantly lower blood pressure than the stockbrokers that did not.

Allergy Fighters

Many people worry that if they bring a pet into a home where there are allergy-prone children, the children will be more likely to develop a pet allergy. However, recent studies have proved just the opposite. Children who grow up in homes with animals tend to be less likely to develop allergies and asthma. The results of one study claimed that children growing up with a dog were 14 percent less likely to develop pet allergies. They were also less likely to develop eczema, a common skin allergy. Researchers suggest that this may prove that pets help boost childrens' immune systems.

Alleviating Loneliness

Dogs have proved to be great companions for the elderly. Even if the dog is just a walking partner, they provide exercise and companionship for its owner. Research has also shown that Alzheimer patients that have pets tend to have fewer anxious outbursts. One insurance company even asks its clients over 75 if they have a pet as part of their screening process.

Pets have also been proven to help people with depression and diseases that commonly cause depression. For example, people with AIDS who have pets reportedly have lower levels of depression. Playing with a pet can raise the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These are neurotransmitters that are known to have a pleasurable and calming effect on the body.

While it has always been known that having a pet can be enjoyable, it is now also known that pets benefit your health. If you are debating if owning a pet is a good idea, use your health as a reason why a pet may be the best new addition to your life!

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Why is Pet Health Insurance Vital? Don't Leave Your Pet Unprotected

A survey was recently carried out in Australia with the goal of finding out why people owned a pet. The majority of people responded that their animal gave them companionship. There were other answers, such as they owned dogs in order to protect their property or as working animals. Other people kept pets for breeding, but most people just felt that their animal helped them to relax.

A lot of parents feel that children can really get a lot out of having a pet in the family, not just in the companionship and pleasure a pet can give, but also in helping children to experience and value animals firsthand. Seeing a pet animal give birth and care for its offspring can help children learn about the cycle of life, while pets that suffer sickness can help to prepare children for the harsh realities of the real world.

Often when the novelty of having a new pet has worn off, it is the parents who find themselves having to care for the animal. However, by carefully explaining that washing, grooming and feeding the animal is the responsibility of the child, parents are able to give children the experience of being responsible for another life. It's also a great way to teach children that being cruel to animals is wrong, and show them how rewarding it can be to look after and care for something.

Taking Responsibility for Your Pet

Owning a pet is a great experience and has a lot of positive benefits, but it also puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the owner, such as ensuring the animal is as healthy as possible. And this is why it is important to think about taking out a pet health insurance policy.

Pet health insurance is there to make it easier to protect the health and well being of your pet. Hopefully, your animal will never have an accident, but no one can predict what the future will bring, and therefore it is important to have the peace of mind that should your pet need expensive medical care or treatment, then you have the pet health insurance policy to cover all of these bills. There are many different health pet insurance options available, so there is sure to be something for you no matter what kind of animal you keep, or the size of your budget.

Dr. Robert Sleeter has over 20 years experience in the pet health care industry. He writes regularly on his site about topics like: Where to Find a Pet Plan Insurance Review and Why You Need to Read it and if you're looking for pet health insurance check out his QuickCare Pet Insurance Review.

4 Important Steps to Establishing Natural Pet Health

Certainly in my ten plus years as an advocate and active participant in the area of natural health for pets I have seen what was once an obscure niche market grow into one that almost everyone knows a little something about. This is a great thing as far as I am concerned with the advent of newer, higher quality products designed to treat everything from a bad attitude to chronic illnesses. But if someone asked you to define natural health for pets or natural medicine for pets what would you say?

For me natural health for pets is a combination of lifestyle, diet, and the use of natural medicine when called for. The whole premise of natural medicine is based on these five cornerstones: do no harm, nature has healing powers, identifying and treating the cause, prevention is the best cure and establish health and wellness. There are probably others but most would agree that it would be difficult to mount a viable argument against any of these five cornerstones. Next let's move on to four things that are very important in achieving natural pet health.

*Is your pet drinking enough water? Most pet owners would instinctively say "Yes" but water consumption can change due to many factors including age. One of the leading causes of illness in pets is bacterial infection entering through the urethra and binding to the urinary tract leading to bladder and possible kidney infection. Dehydration also puts a drag on the immune system opening the door for illness. There are many other potential problems as well so make sure your pet is drinking enough clean fresh water.

*Diet: A big part of natural health for pets revolves around diet and nutrition. The keyword here is balanced. For example diets too high in magnesium can cause bladder or kidney stones. On one of my recent trips to the pet food store I couldn't help but notice how specialized pet foods have become with specially formulated blends for senior citizen pets and youngsters alike. While you probably know this what you may not know that a recent study in dogs determined that feeding them three serving of vegetables a week dramatically reduced their chances of certain types of cancer. So make sure your pet children eat their vegetables.

*Exercise: One very important part of natural health for pets revolves around exercise. Research has shown that active pets are less likely to become ill. So take a few minutes every day to give a little love combined with exercise they will repay you many times over.

*Reduce stress: Research is starting to reveal that stress is one of the most dangerous and damaging obstacles in achieving natural health for pets. Animals are very sensitive. Take this into account the next time you move their food station or their environment is compromised in some way.

In summary, water, diet, exercise, and stress reduction is a good place to start in establishing a viable natural pet health plan. Additionally, many pet owners have found that homeopathic natural pet health remedies containing Echinacea and Astragalus are a good way to boost immune system function thus adding to the effectiveness of any natural pet health plan.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field of natural pet health and wellness.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at Purchase Remedies.com