What are the health benefits of pets?

kitten - my cute kitten
@polachicago (18716)
United States
March 17, 2007 4:30pm CST
Most households in the United States have at least one pet. There are many health benefits of pet ownership. Did you know that having a dog or cat can significantly reduce the amount of stress you feel in your body? Many hospitals have pets on “duty” helping sick people to recover. I see myself more active outdoors, because I walk my dogs.
7 people like this
18 responses
@maribea (2366)
• Italy
17 Mar 07
yes my friend you are right...pets can be of much help in many diseases...for example they can help people suffering from depression because they are a prove of loving presence in their life and because they need care and attention and help expressing one's feeling and increasing self-esteem...they are used with babies suffering because of past traumas...they help discovering and expressing emotions...and they are used with people suffering from Alzheimer disease...because with pets you don't need to use language and pets don't represent a challenge for them...moreover they can be a loving presence in the life of everybody
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Mar 07
Pets are giving me unconditional love. Pets can decrease your:Blood pressure, Cholesterol levels Triglyceride levels, Feelings of loneliness.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
Black kitten on supported picture is mine...thank you for your photo comments...
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@maribea (2366)
• Italy
18 Mar 07
the picture is sweet just like i am sure your cat is!!!
@Kylalynn (1771)
• South Africa
17 Mar 07
I can't imagine my life without pets. I have 2 dogs and a cat. Dogs are my favourite. I wish we could have dogs on duty in hospitals here as I also believe they help people get better quicker. My inlaws lived in a retirement village when they were still alive where no animals were allowed. I wi have to live somewhere that allowes animals when I retire.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Mar 07
I couldn't agree with you more. I love my dogs. My kitten is crazy, but sweet.
1 person likes this
@rainbow (6761)
18 Mar 07
Companionship is the main benefit of a pet, if you live alone or are elderly, having to look after the pet can be a reason to get out of bed, go for a walk, get some fresh air. Even cages animals like hamsters or birds need to be cared for and a depressed, housebound person still gets the company and a reason to keep going. Pets are good for our children to learn about caring, respect and responsibility with, even if mum does most of the work. Pets in hospital are someting to look forward to and the unconditional love animals give brings hope and light to the darkest day. Pets also bring dirt and allergens into childrens lives helping to boost their immune systems. To me a home without pets in is just somewhere to live, our pets help make a house into a home, especially with children.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 07
Another thing 2 add on 2 that is that when u have kids and babys always around pets they r less likely 2 become allergic 2 any animals later in life.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
I couldn't agree with you more.
@patootie (3592)
18 Mar 07
I have definitely not been as 'interested in life' since losing my beloved cats ... I would like to have a dog .. but I can't afford to find myself properly never mind a dog .. and I'd not be able to give it the proper exercise .. so it wouldn't be fair to have a dog ...
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
You can have tiny dog, miniature...dog can run over the house...
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Mar 07
I am going to have miniature dog...
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
20 Mar 07
I was raised with 11 cats and 4 pigeons. I was very shy person, but never feel lonely because I was surrounded by them. It helped me interact with other kids who love pets too.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
20 Mar 07
11 cats...a lot of miauuuuu...all indoor cats?
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
21 Mar 07
a lot of love....
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
21 Mar 07
yup. plus we took care of the neighbour pets too if they are away. the pigeons made lots of noises though
1 person likes this
@anabella (80)
• United States
18 Mar 07
I am sure it is very good for your health. I don't have pets, but I am going to have dog soon. You kitten is cute!
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
I wish you have a dog soon...:)
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Mar 07
my b-friend wants to have a cat, what do you think, dog or cat?
@Jshean20 (14348)
• Canada
19 Mar 07
Animals are amazing creatures, capable of more things than most people would think but unfortunately they are often underestimated. I have heard that pets can significantly reduce the amount of stress in people, I totally believe this because my dog and cats are living proof of this! I've also heard that dogs use their senses and can even sense cancer in people just by simply sniffing their breath-truly amazing!
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
19 Mar 07
wow, I didn't know...I am going now to kiss my dogs...and kitten...:)
@forfein (2507)
20 Mar 07
Hi Definately agree with the cat thing We have two, and the theraputic value is immense!! When sit on me and do their "Purr" bit, it makes me feel so relaxed!
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
20 Mar 07
....I like it too....cats are great... nice to hear from you:)
• China
19 Mar 07
Thank you for you good discussion topic. i havea dogin my house. the reason for me to have this small dog is that my son likes to have a dog, I want my son happy. Now, I know that to have a dog in my house is good for my health. so I think my son is great, and I am smart to make the right chioce.lol..
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
19 Mar 07
...great ch0ice..:)
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
20 Mar 07
I have three young female cats and they definitely help relieve the stress. Sometimes just watching them playing with each other is a great stress reliever. You just can't help but laugh when they really get into it. And no matter what kind of day you have had they are always glad to see you and they usually meet me at the door. It makes the day seem not so bad. So I definitely believe that animals are good for your health.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
20 Mar 07
I see...my kitten is meeting me at the door two...maybe because dogs are always at the door 10 minutes before my arrive...
• United States
22 Mar 07
yes, i have heard the same as well. alot of nursing homes and retirement homes are into the idea as well.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
22 Mar 07
yes, I think that it should be part of the program, pets don't judge you based on your look or age....
• Austria
19 Mar 07
oh yes definitely stress reliever. I can be mad, angry, stressed, tense or whatever. I sit down with my cat and scratch him behind the ears, and he starts to purr and stick my nose in his fur and take a deep breath and I am much calmer. Cats are great.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
20 Mar 07
I have 2 female dogs and one female cat. I love them all.....all are sweet and good....
• United States
22 Mar 07
When I used to work in nursing homes, most of them had a cat that lived on residence and a pet therapy dog that would come in sometimes daily to associate with the residents. I know that when my stress level is up or when i dont feel good my dogs are right by my side, they know when things are going on and they try to make me think about other things. They are just too adorable not to pay attention to especially when I am down and sick.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I have to agree with you, my pets are so cute and so good.
• United States
24 Mar 07
I love this picture. Is it your cat? I use to have black cat, very cute. I think that pets are giving us unconditional love, it is very healthy.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
24 Mar 07
yes, it is, animals are giving us a lot...
@XuryaZ (479)
• India
18 Mar 07
yea, there are. a man is psycologically happier with a dog.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
agree...:)
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
18 Mar 07
I get my excersize taking dogs in and out of the house but it is just soothing to pet them
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
....walking dogs is very good for you...
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
18 Mar 07
I don't know about helping people to recover, but pets are great to ease tension, and take your mind off any stress situations.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Mar 07
I have to agree...:)I have fun with my pets every day...
@adidas7878 (1891)
• United States
19 Mar 07
i know it is alot of benefits of having a pet, but what if someone or something place that arent allow to have a pet, or they allgey with them make the sneeze, maybe we should have like robot pets what do you think of that, you dont have to feed it, but you can walk and do other stuff with it.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
19 Mar 07
hmmm...you are missing whole package with robot pet....
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
19 Mar 07
I have to agree....
• United States
19 Mar 07
but it would be an option for someone who have problem with pets right?
1 person likes this