A dog is apparently man’s best friend and while some people may not be fans of a pooch, having a pet can make a huge difference to you. Here are some reasons why a pet can improve your life.
They understand you
They may not speak the same language but it is amazing how much animals understand just from your demeanour. They are incredibly responsive to your mood and sometimes realise something is wrong before your friends and family. A dog is perhaps the most loyal pet and is often the first to come over when you need affection. It sounds silly but it is often easier to open up and let out your emotions in front of a pet because you have no threat of them reproaching you for it later.
They improve your health
Pets can actually have acute health benefits that in the long run can make a huge difference to your life. Just the sheer presence of a cat can lead to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduce stress. It has also been discovered that the survival rate for people who have had a heart attack jumps from 1 in 87 to 1 in 15 if you own a dog.
They can alert you to diseases and conditions
Dogs can pre-diagnose disease and are believed to be able to smell cancer on their owner, and specially trained dogs can spot the aura on someone who is about to have a fit, making a dog a life-changing companion for someone who has epilepsy. Dogs can also be trained to spot warning signs for other diseases and conditions such as diabetes and Parkinsons.
They improve your lifestyle
There are some obvious ways that animals do improve your lifestyle. Walking a dog will give you daily exercise, getting you out of the house for a solid amount of cardio which as well as giving you exercise will help reduce your stress levels. Pets also mean you have a daily routine to stick to. Feeding, grooming and maintenance for the pet will regulate your day, which helps you to sleep better and improves your general health. Getting home to feed the cat or take the dog out also means you will be more disciplined when it comes to things such as nights out. Grooming and giving affection are also considered a meditative activity that helps lower your heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels.
They make you happy
Having a friendly face to come home to at the end of the day, or a companion to walk with, can really make a difference to your happiness. Having a pet is known to help with depression and offers companionship if you live alone.
Owning a pet can also make you more sociable. Greeting other dog walkers or even stopping for people who admire your dog will automatically put you in a better mood and make you more willing to engage in conversation in your life in general. It is a point of interest you can meet other people with and you never know what you may discover – new friends, new hobbies or even a partner with like-minded interests.
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