5 Wonderful Benefits Having A Family Pet You Need To Know
Family pets come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, a family pet can range from dogs and cats to hamsters, birds, bunnies, turtles, and many more. And regardless of which type of animal you opt for, always help create a loving environment.
More so, with almost no effort, family pets manage to bring so much joy into peoples’ homes and create memories that last a lifetime. So, if you feel unsure about adding a family pet to your home, you might want to reconsider.
Our Family Pet Changed Everything
About three years ago, Oliver (Ollie), a miniature poodle, came into our homes without much notice. We adopted him as a rescue from a dangerous situation. More so, we both changed each other’s life dramatically. Of course, this experience filled us with unconditional love and respect.
Before Ollie, we adopted a pug called Neo. He lived with us for about twelve years, and every day a miracle. The love and devotion we gave each other measured boundless. And, of course, he left us way too soon. Before Neo, we adopted a Lab named Sable. And the list goes on. We always rescue dogs in need and feel blessed to be able to do so.
Owning a family pet means lots of work, but the payback measures boundless. Pets make us laugh, love, and connect with them in a very spiritual way. More so, they comfort us when upset or sick and are always there for their loved ones no matter what.
As a result, it’s no wonder that an estimated 67% of US households, or about 85 million American households, own a pet. And this is according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the APPA. Nevertheless, not everyone comprehends the bond between pet parents and their four-legged companions or even realizes how much pets do for their owners.
In this brief article, we’ll take a closer look at the five positive effects and benefits that a family pet brings to any household.
Caring About A Pet Can Build A Sense Of Empathy
There are many ways and techniques through which people can develop a sense of empathy. However, studies showed that pet ownership could play a huge role in helping people develop this critical emotion, especially when it comes to kids.
If you have a dog, you know that your dog needs a walk now and then. And when your dog needs a walk, wants to eat, or even play, we respond to the dog’s needs in turn. As humans, we think about their needs even though pets can’t express their desires in words as we do.
When our pets get sick, we tend to care about them as if they were our children. And we often don’t mind overpaying sudden vet fees to make them feel better. However, according to Pawlicy’s pet insurance decision tree, if you have a perfectly healthy pet, it’s advisable to get a pet insurance policy before any health issues arise.
In addition, you can save yourself from paying hefty vet costs once important pet care decisions come knocking at the door. Caring about what our beloved pets need and how they feel is the foundation of empathy. We always believe protecting your family pet with insurance makes sense and is a good idea.
Having A Family Pet At Home Can Lower Your Stress Levels
As you probably know, the modern way of living causes high levels of anxiety. And it can lead to countless health problems. Fortunately, pets can help us relax. For example, watching your fish swim around in their tank or stroking your furry cat can make your worries melt away.
Furthermore, studies show that pet parents tend to have lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels. Far lower than people who don’t have a pet in their household. All this means that having a pet in your life can significantly decrease the chances of suffering a cardiac arrest.
Pets Can Help Keep You Fit
All dog breeds need daily, regular walks to stay healthy and happy, and so do people! Nevertheless, we sometimes tend to get a bit lazy. And if that sounds like you, a dog might be the perfect cure. So, rest assured that your dog will drag you out in front of the door and make you run around the park every morning.
Sometimes, a dog is the best personal trainer you could ask for, and they will love you in return for it. Also, you can play Frisby with your dog, and both enjoy the benefits of a good workout. With a family pet like a dog, you can keep in shape and improve your health as well.
Pets Make Sure You Never Feel Alone
The beauty of owning a family pet means you’ll never be alone! Of course, this holds for any pet, but especially dogs and cats. Cats and dogs make excellent companions, always waiting for you to arrive home patiently. As mentioned above, it is a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Of course, a family dog will greet you with much more enthusiasm than a family cat. But cats generate a lot of excitement to see their owners as well. In addition, most of the time, they’re up for a snuggle in front of the TV. So, if you have feelings of loneliness, a family pet seems like the perfect solution!
A Family Pet Can Improve Your Social Life
Owning a pet can also help you make more friends and improve your social life. For example, dogs are naturally curious about their environment, including other people and dogs. But, more so, they can undoubtedly be the catalyst for social interactions.
For example, if you pet a dog, you might find strangers approaching you to ask about their name or how old they are. Likewise, pet parents are significantly more likely to get to know people in their neighborhoods than people who don’t own a pet.
Also, you can meet up with other dog or cat owners and make new friends that way. Either way, owning a family pet will help improve your social life and create new and lasting relationships with like-minded people.
Looking after a pet is a huge responsibility, but considering all the positive effects they bring along makes all that hard work worthwhile. It doesn’t matter whether you choose to keep a cat, dog, or hamster; they’ll make a great companion and positively impact your life.
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