With all the talk of pet-related health problems, it’s hard to know what to believe. But it’s worth it, especially if you’re looking for some good health benefits of having a pet. Here, we’ll show you 6 of the best reasons why having a pet has health benefits that go beyond simply saving your life.
1. Cats and dogs help lower blood pressure.
Dogs and cats have been found to have the ability to lower blood pressure by up to 20 points, which is equivalent to a reduction of 68 percent in blood pressure levels, according to Dr. Karen Overall, professor of veterinary medicine at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana. You should note that this isn’t meant to treat high blood pressure and it’s not a cure as you will still need your doctor’s permission if you are considered high-risk for dropping your blood pressure too low.
2. Research indicates that cat ownership increases immune response. Cat species seem particularly good at boosting your immune system’s natural defenses through their saliva, according to Dr. Peter D’Adamo’s book Eat Right 4 Your Type .
3. Studies show that owning a pet can reduce stress levels (and thereby improve mood). Research shows that pet ownership can also be a protective factor against mental health issues like depression by lowering stress hormones such as cortisol and increasing serotonin in the brain — which has implications for reducing depression , anxiety , and other forms of mental illness .
If you are looking for more health benefits related to pets, you should see Health benefits of pet ownership or visit the page dedicated to that topic.
4. Puppies (and kittens) are great for your heart. Just like cats and dogs, puppies can lower blood pressure in humans by 10 to 15 points — reducing it by up to 68 percent, according to Dr. Overall.
5. In fact, these three little creatures can boost your immune system in many ways as well: They can help reduce any preoccupation you have with preventative medicine; they can reduce cholesterol levels in your blood; they improve your cardiovascular health by dilating the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure; and they help prevent autoimmune disease (as high-stress animals are often predisposed to autoimmunity ).
6. Your life expectancy could be extended if you have a furry friend at home. Comparing life expectancy between owners of pets and non-owners of pets , Dr. Matthew Sampson found that people who owned pets significantly increased their lifespan by over 5 years (the equivalent of 9 human years ) on average! This means that the average life expectancy for a person who has a pet is actually 67 years old compared to the actual 60-year-old age currently required by law.
7. Pet owners are less likely to die from stroke. In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology , people who owned dogs were found to have lower risk of dying from heart-related problems, such as a stroke or coronary heart disease (due to the presence of a loyal dog).
There are many more health benefits of owning pets that is not mentioned here but you can use your own research for more details for it.
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