PET TIPS: You Can Enjoy Health Benefits From Owning A Pet

You have probably already learned that owning a pet and feeling that mutual love and caring will help you feel better at the end of a difficult day. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They even boost our immunity. They are worth every penny and more. Watching your pet play with a ball or a toy will make you laugh and want to share the cute “picture” with someone. It gets us out of our bad mood and lifts our spirits.

I recently read an article that listed just 5 Ways Pets Can Improve our Health:

Pets are Allergy Fighters –

A growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with furry animals from dogs and cats to large farm animals will have less risk of allergies and asthma. Studies performed by James Gern, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin, published his findings in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

He found that if a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies. The kids were also less likely to have skin reactions like eczema and had higher levels of some immune system chemicals. This reaction means that the kids had a stronger immune system if there were pets in the home.

Dogs as Date Magnets –

A dog is a natural conversation starter. It gives us an opportunity to meet and greet lots of people. A recent movie, “Must Love Dogs” showed the example of a woman who “connected” with a man because they both loved dogs.

Questions about what kind of breed, age, dog tricks will help a shy person strike up a conversation and who knows what may happen. Dogs are great for making love connections. It could change your life.


Dogs for Older Adults –

Walking and caring for a dog gets people out and about. Everyone gets the exercise and everyone gets to meet and greet. Alzheimer patients are generally found to be less anxious if a pet is in the home. One insurance company, Midland Life asks clients over age 75 if they care for a pet as part of their medical screening. Having a pet can oftentimes lead to a favorable response in getting the insurance.

Cats are especially suitable for elderly adults as they generally require less care than a dog.


Sick people get better -

Aids patients that have pets are generally less depressed than those without pets. The benefit is especially pronounced when people are strongly attached to their
Pets. Having a good attitude assists in fighting disease.

People who are stressed release chemicals in their bodies like cortisol and norepinephrine. These chemicals can cause plaque buildup in arteries leading to
heart disease. Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine. These are both nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties.

Good for the Heart –

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less signs of heart disease – lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels – than non-owners, researchers say.


So, go to your local shelter. Irvine, San Clemente and Mission Viejo have beautiful, clean shelters that keep their “guests” as long as necessary until they can find a good home. You’ll be so glad that you chose a shelter dog or cat. Hope you will join us.