Top 8 Reasons Why You Should Have Pets

A dog sitting on the couch

1. To Help You Keep Fit

All dog breeds require regular, daily walks to stay happy and healthy, and so do you. Unfortunately, we sometimes get a bit lazy and if you are like that, a dog can be the perfect cure. A pet will drag you out of the front door and make you run around the park each day. Yes, a dog is possibly the best personal trainer you never knew you could have.

2. To Make Sure that You are Never Lonely

If you live alone or have a partner who works shift patterns that are different from yours, you can become very lonely at home, but only if you don’t have a pet. Cats and dogs make great companions since they will always be waiting for you to come home and are always willing to lend an ear if you ever need to vent about a bad day you have had. Furthermore, in most instances, they are always willing to snuggle up with you on the sofa.

3. To Help Lower Stress Levels

Life today is incredibly stressful and high anxiety levels can translate to numerous health issues. Fortunately, pets can help you relax – watching your fish swimming around in a tank or stroking your cat will make you relax. Studies show that pet owners usually have lower triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels compared to people who do not own pets. Simply put, having a pet can help to lower your probability of getting a heart attack later in life.

4. To Make Friends

Pet owners are usually incredibly friendly – you will often come across people stopping to talk about your furry friend in the park. By having a pet, you can get to meet new people and quickly create bonds, especially if small talk isn’t your strongest attribute. You never know, you just might end up meeting the love of your life all thanks to your dog. Take a look at the Animals at Home Franchise as their services may be of help to you.

5. To Help Improve Your Immune System

Cats and dogs spend a lot of their time outside and thus bring all kinds of germs and dirt into your home. However, this is not always a bad thing – the extra germs can boost your immunity to colds and other mild illnesses. In fact, past studies show that babies that live with a pet usually experience fewer infections and are generally healthier compared to those that don’t.

6. To Help Stop Children from Developing Allergies

While owning a pet is not a guarantee that your children will never develop certain allergies, the available evidence shows that the dander in their fur can help. Still, it is worth noting that you should not own a dog or cat if you are allergic to them – you will not suddenly become immune!

7. To Catch Cancer Early

The fact that dogs have an amazing sense of smell is hardly a secret, but were you aware that some canines can actually detect cancer? Pet owners’ lives have been saved by their dogs after noticing that they were constantly sniffing, licking, or even pawing at a tumour hidden underneath the skin.

8. To Help Make You Feel Safe

Not everyone likes being home alone, but having a dog or cat there can help make you a lot safer. Furthermore, burglars are far less likely to target a property if they know that there’s a dog. Certain breeds will even make great guard dogs and can even offer you protection when out for a run or walk.