Modern life is very demanding, and your number of responsibilities on any given day can seem constantly overwhelming. Short-term acute stress can be relatively healthy when it makes you responsive and you rise to the challenges you face. However, chronic stress can drain you mentally and physically. Growing awareness about the need for emotional well-being is a positive societal development, but you might wonder how to help yourself. Many pet owners you know might tell you that owning a pet helps them, but how exactly does pet ownership help you?
How Does Pet Ownership Help Your Emotional Well-Being?
The primary benefit of pet ownership is simply the love that you feel from them. Having pets around increases your levels of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. You also feel less lonely because you can talk to your animals and touch them. Some enjoy being cuddled with.
Having a pet might lower your blood pressure. Research shows that pet owners typically have lower heart rates, fewer heart attacks, and better cholesterol and triglyceride scores. Interacting with animals helps control cortisol levels, the stress hormone that can increase anxiety and fat storage in the human body.
Some animals might help you spend more time outdoors. Fresh air, sunlight, and exercise are all great for mental health in their own right. If you own a dog, you must ensure they get time outside daily. In most cases, you’ll need to join them.
Horses and dogs are used as components of therapy in many individuals because they have a documented impact on feeling depressed. Pet owners are less irritable, and service dogs are known to improve PTSD symptoms among veterans. Specially trained dogs or animals can even serve as medical devices or equipment because they can tell when you need help with your health.
Best Kinds of Pets for First-Time Pet Parents
If it’s your first time being a pet parent, then your choice of pet will be a big decision. Did you have any pets growing up? Even if you weren’t responsible for a pet as a child or teen, having familiarity with a certain kind might make having one as an adult easier. If not, you might want to choose a basic choice that would spend most or all of its time in a tank, such as a fish, gerbil, or hamster. However, these animals might not be sources of emotional support and bonding.
Many households are most likely to look at cats and dogs as their first pet. Each has pros and cons. Dogs are far more social animals, with a pack mentality ingrained into them. They need a lot of time and attention from you, which can help your emotional well-being. Dogs also require a lot of activity, which can also get you active. Having said all that, dogs are relatively high maintenance. Their emotional wellness might suffer if you’re not home enough to spend time with them.
Cats are often considered solitary creatures, and many cat breeds won’t need a lot of your time and attention. This might be the way to go if you want a pet that doesn’t involve as much responsibility. You can also find lap breeds that might enjoy spending time cuddling with you, but it’s never a certainty.
Research shows that dog owners typically register higher levels of happiness and satisfaction than cat owners, but dogs and cat owners are happier than adults who aren’t pet parents.
Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy
Before getting any pet, ensure you can budget appropriately for their needs. Their physical needs go past just having regular food. You also need to ensure they get regular vet visits and proper healthcare. Fortunately, you can get pet insurance that makes this more affordable.
Once you know your budget can accommodate a pet, be sure your lifestyle is a good fit, too. Plan on spending enough time with them, but also make sure you have boarding options available when you need to head out of town.