Are you deciding whether you should get a pet or not? Owning a pet brings us a lot of joy. There are so many benefits to having one. In this article, you’ll find 17 of these benefits that we’re sure will convince you to get one.
Exercise
Pets such as dogs help you get more exercise. They need to walk each day, and this motivates us to get up and out of the house. Seeing how happy our pets become when they realize we’re going to go for a walk with them makes getting exercise a joyful part of the day.
Stress
Getting a pet could do wonders for your health. “Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure,” says NIH News in Health. If you want to reduce your stress levels, getting a pet is a good way to do so.
Nurture
Many pets need grooming, and many of them like to be stroked. Nurturing a pet is good for us, as it helps us to be more compassionate and show love. When we nurture our pets, we make them feel very happy and their happiness radiates back to us.
Keep Moving
Even if your pet doesn’t need walking, it will still help you keep moving around the house. Most pets need feeding each day and they also need fresh water to drink. Their enclosures also need cleaning. All of this keeps us moving throughout the day.
Stay Busy
People who have pets are seldom bored. Pets help us stay busy. This is because there’s so much to do for a pet. You have to make sure it has everything it needs and clean up after it, and you also need to keep an eye on it throughout the day.
Entertaining
Pets are very entertaining. We are so fascinated by the things they do and we love to watch them dance and play. Each pet is different and getting to know their individual personalities is very interesting. Having a pet means that you’ll always have something interesting to watch.
Anxiety
Another benefit of getting a pet is that it can help you reduce your anxiety levels. According to the American Heart Association, “Pets help manage anxiety. Now more than ever, many people are feeling anxious or struggling with mental health. Pets provide companionship and support.”
Company
Pets are great at keeping you company, and they always show the same unconditional love to their owners. If you live alone, getting a pet is a good idea, as pets are loyal companions who will always stay by you. Pets can prevent you from feeling lonely.
Social Skills
Pets help us with our social skills. They force us to interact with others because we have to take them to the vet’s, go out and buy their food, and take them on walks. Having a pet means that we spend longer interacting with others and can help us improve our social skills.
Conversation
Do you find it hard to make conversation? Then getting a pet will help. People who like animals love to talk about other people’s animals, and your pet will become a topic of conversation. Taking your pet out for a walk will help you meet new people and you can begin small talk about your pets.
Heart Health
Pets work wonders. They can even improve our heart health. “Engaging in play can contribute to the release of endorphins, often called ‘feel-good’ hormones. Together, these factors result in lower blood pressure and decreased levels of cholesterol, contributing to a healthier heart,” says PetMD.
Responsibility
Having pets is great for making us more responsible people. This is because we have something to look after and take care of that depends completely on us to stay alive. This responsibility is also good for children to learn, and small pets are ideal for them.
Forgiveness
Getting a pet can also help you be more forgiving. Your pet will do something you don’t like sooner or later. It might run into something you like and break it, or it might go to the bathroom somewhere you don’t want it to. This will make you feel frustrated, but you will learn to forgive your pet and move on.
Patience
Pets have minds of their own and they also have unique personalities. No two are the same. Pets teach us to be patient because we have to adapt to them and try to figure out what they need. We will have to be patient with them, as we train them, too.
Laughter
Pets are always doing things that make you laugh. The way that they interact with one another and with you will no doubt bring a smile to your face. If you want to be a happier person, you should get a pet.
Interesting
The statistics from Forbes show that “pet ownership in the U.S. has jumped significantly over the past three decades. As of 2024, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet. That’s up from 56% in 1988, pet ownership statistics show.” Many households have pets because animals are very interesting.
Feel Good
Getting a pet can make you feel good on the inside. When you adopt a pet or get a pet from a shelter, you feel like you’ve done your part for society by giving a pet a home that really needs it. This can give you a deep feeling of satisfaction.
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