During the past year as the world spent more time at home in quarantine, pet adoptions rose, particularly across the United States. This was a win for both the pets and the humans taking them into their homes.  It is an ideal example of the value pets hold for the mental and physical health of their human parents, as it helped many cope with the mental and resulting physical effects of lockdowns, but also has demonstrated the overall impact of pet ownership in general.  At the end of 2020, NPR (National Public radio), hosted a podcast on this very topic. I have included a link to their site in my references below so that anyone who desires to take a look and listen may do so. As crazy as our furry friends can make us, the overall consensus is that they are one of the best things to have around in our healthy lifeways pockets.

Pets get us to do things.  Dogs have folks up and moving with play and walks. Shelters even offer a solution for those that cannot own dogs for whatever reason, they offer training to become a volunteer dog walker. If this is of interest, check the shelters near your residence. It is something I have done over the years, as apartment living and my away from home time do not allow for dog ownership.  Great fun and it is a real help to shelter dogs. The best news about walking either a shelter dog or your own,  you get out and move!  Do it an average of three times a week for about 30 minutes each outing, and you have really boosted that cardiovascular fitness level!  Have a small dog you would love to take out and about more often? Invest in a cool and trendy pet stroller! These can be found online even for less than 100$. Pets are allowed in more places when contained. You could also establish a daily routine to interact with your dog mornings/evenings and get a good mile or two logged on that heart with a cruise around the neighbourhood. Cats can also get you moving!  The pet stroller has become quite popular today, and not just for dogs!  Cats love to get out and about too!  So this means the cat people reading this can go wild and get their cardio in just as well as those fine dog folks are doing!   All this walking means stronger bonding with your pet, exercise means better moods and better cardio fitness for you! Pets have been found to also have less depression/better moods, are more attentive and interested in their days as they anticipate this time with their pet parents.

Playtime with your dog or cat is fun for all!  Cats need a good deal of mental stimulation and exercise, as do dogs.  So do us, humans!  Again, stick toys for cats or laser lights and a good play routine built into the day makes for excellent mental and physical health perks for both you and your kitty.  The same holds true for playtime with your pup!  Pets interacting with their humans means stronger bonds, fewer behavioural issues, more positive moods for them as well as for yourself, and some good cardio for everyone!   Cats love those toys on sticks and a good laser !  Dogs love to get out with balls, pull toys, Frisbees and more! Even if you never intend to train or enter agility competitions for dogs or cats, agility training is a great way to gain these same health benefits for you and your furry friends! Easily create some inexpensive training with hula hoops or small cones, or toy tunnels and have at it! Great moods, better blood pressure, less stress, and a perk to cardio for all through some good fur kid playtime planning!  Numerous studies over the years have clearly indicated a tremendous increase in both mental health and physical fitness for pet owners!

A 2017 study in Sweden that included 3.4 million individuals between the ages of 40-80, researchers followed health charts for 12 years. They also examined the pet factor. They noted whether or not an individual in the study owned a dog or not. Findings showed that those that lived alone but had a dog, were able to reduce their risk for death in general by 33% and reduce their risk for a cardiovascular event leading to death by 36% versus those living alone without a pet of any kind.  Additionally, the Journal of Physical Activity and Health also noted that dog owners were more likely to meet fitness and activity levels 54% more often than those without a dog.

Here is an intriguing one, another study (News in Health), found that diabetic teens caring for fish in the home.  They had to log all care-related activities twice daily and were found to be far more disciplined in self-care and management of their Type 1 diabetes.

The University of Minnesota has conducted numerous studies by faculty in recent years that have focused on pets and mental health. They found that pets were able to fend off the effects of loneliness ( particularly in seniors).  Note – many animal shelters offer special free senior programs. This provides a pet to a senior, usually a senior pet, and aids in the support of the care for the pet for as long as they and the senior individual area paired. Be sure to check shelters in your area for such programs. Pets were again supported in these studies of providing companionship and unconditional love, thereby greatly improving mental health.  Another suggestion for pet owners, look into volunteering with your cat or dog at local memory care centers or nursing facilities. Pet visitations also have similar effects on seniors who may be isolated and restricted in such living situations, unable to get out, have regular family gatherings, or own a pet of their own any longer.  Numerous studies also exist showing a strong correlation between nursing home visitations by pets and the health and mental health of residents.  Studies at the University of Minnesota and others over the years have also indicated a strong correlation between pet ownership and self-esteem, noting a much higher degree of self-esteem and confidence in those with pets versus those without. Doctors at several universities have discussed how the feel-good hormone, oxytocin, is released and the stress hormone, cortisol, reduced when people with pets even spend time looking at and watching their companions. The joy of simply watching our fur kids is a tremendous health booster.

Got allergy concerns?  Check out the product ALLERPET online for dogs and cats!  I can personally attest to its safety and effectiveness in helping someone with pet allergies happily coexist with a kitty or puppy!  Also remember to dust, vacuum, and even consider regular pet baths monthly to also aid in allergen reduction.  The other great news is that if you are adding a family member, a baby, get a pet!  Studies published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy have shown that children were less likely to develop allergies of varied sorts as they grew and developed, or later in life if exposed to pets prior to the age of 6 months. This same research has also shown that children who are raised with pets were found to have far stronger overall immune systems than those not raised around pets. Pets are also great for social skills development! The University of Western Australia, in conjunction with Harvard School of Public Health, and Waltham Pet Nutrition conducted studies that found that a whopping 60% of pet owners studied (2,700 men and women) were more outgoing and social throughout their lifetimes than those without pets.  Similar studies have also found that those with pets have deeper bonds with their communities and places of work.

The bottom line – whether you are fending off the effects of Pandemic lockdown, or if you are generally seeking to lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, curb loneliness, work on overall mental health,  overall physical well being ( from immunity to cardiovascular and more), or help raise healthier children, add a pet to your home!  Local shelters can also assist in helping to best match the pet that is right for your lifestyle situation.  Get out and enjoy a better life through the ownership of a loving companion, who will also greatly benefit from your care and companionship as you will from theirs!

The Power of Pets: Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions, 2018.
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets (Accessed 03/27/2021)

Pets Can Help Their Humans Create Friendships, Find Social Support, 2015.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pets-can-help-their-humans-create-friendships-find-social-support-201505067981 (Accessed 03/27/2021)

12 Ways Pets Improve Your Health, 2020.
https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20810305,00.html?slide=125223#125223

Pet Adoptions Bring Some Joy During Coronavirus Pandemic, 2020.
Pet Adoptions Bring Some Joy During Coronavirus Pandemic : NPR