Owning a pet requires a large commitment of time, energy and finances, yet more than 57 percent of U.S. households own one or more pets, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s most recent survey.
The pet owners of the U.S.’s more than 100 million pets know that having a pet companion is a deeply satisfying and emotionally enriching experience, however they may not be aware of the health benefits they derive from these bonds.
Research has shown bonding with a pet provides physical and mental health benefits to both the owner and the companion pet. Pet owners have been shown to have improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, fewer visits to physicians per year, and suffer fewer symptoms of depression and social isolation.
Many studies have shown pet owners are less likely to die of coronary disease and live longer after being treated for heart disease than non-pet owners. One reason for this may be that patients have lower heart rates when they are with their pets, and even a small reduction in heart rate can decrease damage to the cardiovascular system. Another reason is that petting a cat or dog has been shown in a number of studies to reduce the blood pressure of both the human as well as the pet, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and other health issues related to high blood pressure.
Pet owners, especially dog owners, spend more time exercising, which improves immune system function and reduces the risk of a variety of diseases from lack of exercise such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
Mental health experts believe there are beneficial social and emotional effects of pet companionship. In surveys, pet owners report fewer symptoms of loneliness and depression than reported by non-pet owners. Pet owners who care for and talk to their pets report feeling an emotional connection to their pets and decreased feelings of social isolation. Dog owners who walk their dogs also benefit from additional social contact with other people. Mental health experts say human beings have a need to feel needed and loved, and pets satisfy this need.
Pets may help alleviate the effects of stress, which is believed to be a component in disease. It may be that pet owners find the social support of pet companionship is a buffer against stress. Also, stress experts believe that focusing attention on something outside of oneself, such as a pet, and away from one’s own thoughts, may be a powerful way to increase relaxation and control stress, thereby resulting in increased immune system function.
Brent Q. Hafen, Keith J. Karren, Kathryn J. Frandsen, N. Lee Smith, Mind/Body Health: The Effects of Attitudes, Emotions, and Relationships (Needham Heights, Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon, A Simon & Schusster Company, 1996), Chapter 13.
Health - General Information
Stress affects your pet’s health in many ways. Stress affects the health of your pet’s cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems. It can cause a pet to pluck out his feathers or lick out his fur. It can cause your pet to chew up your expensive shoes, and claw and spray your furniture. Chewing, clawing, over-grooming, overly aggressive behavior, spraying, and even an overly excited greeting can be signs that your pet is stressed.
It is stressful, even for domestic animals, to conform to behavior rules and environments imposed by human beings. It is helpful to remember that the behavior rules and expectations you have for your pet may be unnatural behavior for that animal.
There are many situations that can affect your pet’s level of stress and consequently his health. These situations may include a trip to the vet, an overnight stay at a kennel, being left at home alone for long periods, traveling in the car, the presence of other animals, changes of schedule, visitors who don’t like pets, certain forms of punishment and strange animals in the vicinity.
If you know the causes of stress in your pets’ life, you can keep him healthier and happier, and it may help you unravel certain health and behavioral mysteries that you have never been able to understand before. When you understand the behaviors and physical symptoms that indicate when your pet is under too much stress you will be able to take steps to relieve his stress.
Many stress-related health problems and behaviors can be reduced or eliminated through adequate exercise, proper diet and nutrition, a calm and predictable home environment and adequate companionship. You can learn more about these topics on other pages of this web site
Pet owners who care for and talk to their pets report feeling an emotional connection to their pets and decreased feelings of social isolation. Dog owners who walk their dogs also benefit from additional social contact with other people. Mental health experts say human beings have a need to feel needed and loved, and pets satisfy this need.
There are many situations that can affect your pet’s level of stress and consequently his health. These situations may include a trip to the vet, an overnight stay at a kennel, being left at home alone for long periods, traveling in the car, the presence of other animals, changes of schedule, visitors who don’t like pets, certain forms of punishment and strange animals in the vicinity.
Many stress-related health problems and behaviors can be reduced or eliminated through adequate exercise, proper diet and nutrition, a calm and predictable home environment and adequate companionship. You can learn more about these topics on other pages of this web site