How pets help you live a longer, healthier life

Did you know that pets can help you live longer?! Turns out they are far more than just a cute, cuddly companion. If you are looking for a reason to get a pet, or you need a couple of pointers to back up your argument to get one, look no further.

Here are some ways that pets help you live a longer, healthier life:

Pets can reduce our stress levels

We are living in stressful times and all that stress can have a significantly negative impact on our health. Studies have shown that spending time with pets can improve overall well-being and reduce anxiety. Just spending 10 minutes petting your cat or dog can decrease the amount of stress hormone that’s produced in your body. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to give my cat an extra squeeze on a bad day. 

Even if you don’t have a pet of your own you can still experience these mood-boosting effects. Use it as an excuse to visit your family and friends or take a trip down to your local animal shelter. You don’t even have to leave your home thanks to the internet. Those cute puppy videos that make you smile count, too! 😉

Pets can give us a sense of purpose

Animals require a lot of responsibility. Your pet relies on you for food, water, shelter, and even a safe place to go to the bathroom. When you are a pet owner it’s no longer about you anymore, you’ve basically got a small child you have to worry about. (Hence why a lot of people get a dog before they choose to have a baby). Not everyone wants to sign up for all of that, but for some of us, that responsibility creates structure and gives a bit more meaning to our days.

Even though litter boxes are disgusting and cleaning them is the worst part about being a cat mom, it’s become part of my daily routine. When I toss that smelly bag in the trash I feel a sense of relief. Not only that, but it helps keep my house from smelling, well, like shit! 💩

Pets can comfort and support us

Studies show that owning a pet can reduce loneliness and social isolation, especially since the pandemic. Most of us can agree that we have experienced loneliness in a way we never have before during quarantine. Those of us that were lucky to be cooped up with our pets know how much their presence helped.

Sure, we might have caught ourselves talking to them in strange little voices more than usual but let’s be real, things got weird during quarantine for all of us.

Pets can increase our longevity  

It’s clear that pets can make our days brighter and help us feel better. Turns out they can actually help improve our overall health and longevity, too. According to the American Heart Association studies show the death rate for people who own dogs is 24% less than non-owners and 31% have a lower risk of death by heart attack and stroke. Talk about a reason to get a dog!

Who cares about the potty training and hair everywhere when you can live longer?! I haven’t gotten a dog since I’ve been living on my own but it will happen one of these days (whether my cats like it or not!).

There you have it, folks! There are multiple ways that pets can help you live a longer, healthier life.

I know that not every dog (and cat) is the same and not everyone has had positive experiences with them. Trust me, my cat CeCe is a beotch and Ziggy has peed on my bed more times than I can count. Despite these minor inconveniences, owning a pet has been proven to have significant benefits that can help outweigh the bad.

If you cannot have a pet of your own, take advantage of other people’s pets. Or better yet, make friends with those animals who don’t have a family to call their own. Not only will you make their day, but I bet you’ll leave feeling much better yourself.