Health Benefits of Pets

Having a pet can bring a variety of benefits to your life. These can range from reducing stress to providing companionship. It is important to be responsible when you have a pet. In addition, your pet can provide you with unconditional love during times of distress.

There are several studies on the health benefits of pets. They have been shown to relieve stress and improve blood pressure. In addition, they have been found to reduce depression and loneliness in adolescents and adults. In fact, a recent study conducted by Michigan Medicine and AARP showed that nearly three-quarters of respondents said that their pet had helped them deal with stress.

According to the American Heart Association, there are significant links between pet ownership and lower cardiovascular risk. They have published a Scientific Statement on Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk in 2013. The relationship between pets and cardiovascular risk is complex and may be causal. The research will continue to explore this issue.

Studies have also shown that the oxytocin produced during human-animal interactions is associated with empathy and increased social bonding. In particular, therapy dogs are well-known for this. They are often brought into hospitals and nursing homes to help patients reduce their stress levels.

Another study on the health benefits of pets showed that children with allergies are protected when they are exposed to pets in early childhood. Animals can also help people who suffer from autism. It is important to take the time to find out if your child’s pet is a good fit for his or her personality. You should always consult your veterinarian before buying a pet.

Pets also alleviate loneliness and stress in older adults. They are a good source of comfort and a reason to get out of the house. They can also serve as a playmate. When a child becomes old enough to leave home, they will need to take on a new set of responsibilities. They will need to learn how to care for a pet. Having a pet can give a child a sense of responsibility and a way to make friends.

NIH is funding large-scale surveys of pet ownership to study the health effects of having a pet. In addition, the Mars Corporation has founded a WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition to study the health benefits of different animal species. It is also funding studies on human-animal interactions.

The NIH wants to better understand the subjective quality of relationships with animals. They are interested in tapping into the animal’s innate ability to understand people. This is also a topic that is studied at dozens of universities across the United States.

A recent survey from AARP and Michigan Medicine showed that 95 percent of participants thought that having a pet was a good thing. They also found that 65 percent of those surveyed credited their pet with improving their social skills. They also noted that the presence of a pet can ease the stress of college students.