benefits of owning a pet statistics
Some of the health benefits of having a pet include: Decreased blood pressure Decreased cholesterol levels Decreased triglyceride levels Decreased feelings of loneliness Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities Increased opportunities for socialization In 2002, the National Institutes of Health released a study that found children under a year old who were exposed to a cat to be less likely to develop all kinds of allergies. Competative companies now offer pet insurance as part of employee benefits packages. Updated 0236 GMT (1036 HKT) February 21, 2020. In fact, when it comes to pet ownership, there are a number of proven health benefits for people, including physical, mental and emotional improvements, from enhancing social skills to decreasing a person's risk of heart attack. © 2010 - 2020 Harvard University. Maybe we'll finally have data to put behind the "cat vs. dog" debate, or just how and why a bird, fish, lizard or gerbil might soothe our stress and provide companionship. Most melanomas come in the form of a new spot on the skin, not changes to an existing mole. 3. It's not just cats and dogs. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. "You don't want a dog that will bark all night or have a lot of separation anxiety if you leave the house," says Dr. Fricchione. Where to turn for a pet? In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, approximately 36.5 percent and 30.4 percent of households in the United States have canine and feline furry family members, respectively. You never know, owning a dog may help you meet the love of your life! Can acupuncture help my menopause symptoms? "Is it because you're exercising or is it because there is a difference in the type of person who would choose to have a dog versus somebody who would not? 2. All rights reserved. That's right. \"No matter what you do or say, your dog or cat accepts you and is attached to you,\" sa… The Power of Pets. A cat’s purr resonates at a frequency that can, for example, heal muscles, bones, and tendons. "If you have problems with gait and stability and your pet can get under your feet or jump up and knock you over, then falls and broken bones are a real danger," says Dr. Fricchione. Some pets even have their own Facebook pages. There's a reason dogs are dubbed man's best friend. "There's some research that shows having a pet with you during an anxious event could help reduce the stress of that event," she said. The fact that your cat is purring while you're doing this is an additional stress reducer. Social connections are key to a. Pets offer the opportunity for different generations to connect, easing the way toward deeper communications, fostering healthy bonding and reducing loneliness. Are they healthier or wealthier? Dogs encourage you to move. Backed by a 9 million dollar partnership between the US National Institute of Health's Child Development and Behavior Branch and the UK's Waltham Petcare Science Institute, some researchers have begun designing better studies to determine if it's the animals who have the impact. Man's best friend is well known for devotion and loyalty, but did you know that dogs can also extend our lifespans? There are also sanitary risks associated with pet ownership. Of course these cardio benefits are just for dogs -- not cats, horses, gerbils and the like. Exposing a child to animals during the first six months of life is. 1. That's really fascinating." (CNN)Snuggling next to my kitties while their furry chests softly rumble is a proven antidote to the day's stress. The act of petting your cat releases the bonding hormone oxytocin, also called the "cuddle chemical." Possible Health Effects. One day, Mueller says, it might be possible to 'prescribe' a dog for a young active child, a troubled adolescent or cardiovascular patient and know -- as much as science can ever know -- what the outcome is likely to be for their health. Dr. Fricchione recommends taking a veterinarian or a professional breeder along with you to a shelter: "The expert will be able to size up which animals have the best chance of developing into a mellow companion." "When you feel securely attached to this living being, there are biological brain effects that reduce stress response, so it may affect your breathing rate or blood pressure or oxygen consumption or anxiety level," says Dr. Fricchione. 1 benefits to owning a pet. However, the American Heart Association also says that pet ownership is a caring commitment that comes with certain financial costs and responsibilities, so "the primary purpose of adopting, rescuing, or purchasing a pet" should not be to reduce cardiovascular risk. A study of school children showed that pet owners were more popular but also seemed more empathetic. 5) They can improve your immune system. Pets foster connections that can continue as the child grows, such as through the use of social media. I have no doubt about that.". Gulati asked. For me and millions more, having a pet brings a circle of love into our lives -- they give affection, we give it back and all of us are the better for it. Should I worry about a sudden swollen tongue? Dogs help you stop stressing out. Some people over age 60 have few, if any, symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), while others experience the same symptoms younger people do. The most obvious benefits of pet ownership are love and companionship. Pets spend a lot of their time outside and therefore bring all sorts of dirt and germs into your home. "I have a list of 10 health benefits [that] studies have shown pet owners have," said psychologist Harold Herzog, a pet-loving professor at Western Carolina University who has long studied the human-animal connection. However, there are a number of considerations to mull over before adding a pet to your household. Averaged out, a cool third of American families own pets. We don't know those things.". It's likely that the health benefits of dog ownership have to do with the amount of exercise needed to keep the furry friends healthy -- studies show dog owners can get 30 minutes more exercise a day than people who don't own dogs.
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