The Mental Health Benefits of Keeping a Pet

Not much else in this world compares to having a pet. They are there to greet you when you get home, there to help you start your day, and always there when you need someone to cuddle with. Dogs are known as man’s best friend for a reason, and cats, fish, and reptiles have the potential to be loving companions as well. Did you know there are health benefits to owning a pet? In recent years, scientists have found measurable benefits of having a loyal animal companion.

Read more to see how having a pet in your life could help reduce your stress levels, improve your mental health, and improve your and your family’s lives. 

Animals are a Source of Comfort

Just like hobbies and exercise have been shown to improve mental health, pets leave us feeling better than we did before. Animals are, first and foremost, wonderful companions who you can talk to, care for, and give and receive affection from. This has been shown to lower your cortisol levels, boost oxytocin, and lower your blood pressure.

Pets keep us from feeling lonely, and pet owners are less likely to suffer from mental health illnesses like depression.

Caring for Others Makes Us Feel Good

Studies show that caring for a pet helps foster a sense of purpose and solidifies your daily routine. For people who are older or live alone, this does wonders for their mental well-being.

That’s why it’s also important to ensure that you’re taking good care of your pet so that they can be a light in your life for as long as possible. Providing your dog with nutrition supplements or CBD oil for your dog can help them relax and be healthy. Cats typically enjoy being outside, though outdoor cats frequently run into danger. Consider building your feline companion an outside cat enclosure so that they can enjoy the outdoors while remaining safe. 

If you have fish, even the simple act of cleaning all your aquarium equipment or feeding your goldfish can help you feel accomplished and needed.

Pets Improve Socialization Skills

Children who have or grow up with pets are more likely to have well-developed social skills. Kids that showed signs of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who engaged in animal therapy showed improvements in their communication and social skills. Pets are a conversation starter, and taking your puppy on a walk, for example, can help you find new friends and acquaintances throughout your neighborhood. A friend to your pet is a friend to you, as well.

Having a Pet Gets Us Outside & Moving

In a similar way, pets help us with our social skills and help us get outside and active. 

Dogs need daily walks, and cats have been known to exhibit signs of needing exercise. Before you punish your cat for taking her excess energy out on the furniture or break out the cat scratch spray, try taking her out on a walk and see if the behavior improves. While you’re giving your pet much-needed exercise, you’ll also be enjoying the fresh air and activity yourself. This helps regulate your emotions and keeps your circadian rhythm in check.

Exercise and fresh air lead to better sleep and a marked improvement in your mood. Can’t complain about that!

Unconditional Love

We hope this article has helped convince you of the mental health benefits that come from owning a pet. We love our animal companions, and we’re glad that science validates our warm and fuzzy feelings towards them. While there is still more research to be done on the effects that pets have on our mental health, you can be sure that the unconditional love you receive from them is beyond comparison.