Forget supplements and tedious fitness routines, owning a pet could be just what you need for better health! (Of course, that’s not to say that having a regular exercise regimen isn’t beneficial!)

Australia’s pet-owning population is growing and for good reason—pets make us happier and healthier! Almost two-thirds (61%) of Aussie households own a pet. Furthermore, 90% of pet parents say their pets have a positive impact on their lives. Indeed, research shows that pet ownership brings with it myriad health benefits, both psychological and physical.

Physical benefits of owning a pet

According to the Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC), in comparison to non-pet owners people who own pets:

  • Typically visit the doctor less often and use less medication
  • On average have lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure
  • Tend to recover more quickly from illness and surgery
  • Deal with stressful situations better
  • Display lower levels of risk factors associated with heart disease
  • Are less likely to report feeling lonely

Additionally, elderly pet owners report an increased quality of life and companionship. This is in part to do with the fact that pets increase the opportunities for socialization, as well as increase the prospect for exercise and outdoor activities.

So, it seems that our cute and cuddly fur pals could be the perfect prescription for a long and happy life. What’s more, studies show that kids who grow up sharing their home with a dog or cat have a reduced risk of developing allergies and asthma.

Helping protect children against allergies

Can owning a pet be beneficial for the health of our kids? Well, researchers at The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) believe they have discovered the reason why children who are exposed to a dog in the house in early infancy are at reduced risk of developing allergies and asthma.

The researchers say the dust from houses where canine pets live both indoors and outdoors can alter the microbes that live in the gut and diminish immune system reactivity to common allergens. The study was carried out on mice. However, researchers believe the results explain the reduced allergy risk amongst kids who have been living with a dog since birth.

Similarly, research has shown that owning a cat or dog in early childhood can reduce the likelihood of developing allergies to those animals later on in life. Research conducted at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that being exposed to cats or dogs at home during the first year of life was the most important factor in the reduced risk of going on to develop a cat or dog allergy in later years. In fact, babies born into a cat-owning home were 50% less likely to develop a cat allergy than those born into cat-free homes.

Psychological benefits of owning a pet

Aside from the wonderful physical benefits of owning a pet, a furry friend can also benefit your mental health.

Whether it’s going to the local shops to pick up pet food or taking your four-legged friend for a walk, dogs and cats encourage us to get out and about. For some people, this is a huge way in which pets benefit their mental health. Without their barking buddy or purring pal, they would barely leave their home.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, pets give owners a reason to exercise—which in turn can benefit those suffering from depression. But alongside this, pets have a calming effect on us humans. A quiet mind can help ease feelings of stress and anxiety and bring about happier thoughts.

Just like dogs, cats can also have a positive effect on mental health. A study conducted by UK-based Cats Protection and the Mental Health Foundation found that 87% of people who owned a cat felt it had a positive impact on their wellbeing. Meanwhile, 76% said they could cope with everyday life much better thanks to the company of their feline friends. Half of the cat owners felt that their cat’s presence and companionship was most helpful, followed by a third of respondents describing stroking a cat as a calming and helpful activity.

Life is better with pets

When it comes to owning a pet it seems the more the merrier! Studies have found that children who grow up with multiple pets or live on a farm with several animals have a lower risk of allergies. It’s believed pets expose us to many allergens and this decreases the risk of developing an allergy. Yet, pets also carry microbes that stimulate our immune system and help protect us against allergic reactions.

Whatever the reasons, if your kids have been nagging you for a pet, perhaps it’s worth thinking it over! Of course, there’s more to owning a cat or dog than just reaping the potential health benefits. However, if you are toying with the idea, this might be another item to add to the Pros list!

 

Has owning a pet made you a happier, healthier person?

 

Information sources:

  • Animal Medicines Australia. Pets in Australia: a national survey of pets and people. 2019. Accessed online via: https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/
  • Australian Companion Animal Council. Accessed online via: http://www.acac.org.au/health-and-social-benefits/
  • Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. About pets & people. Accessed online Dec 2020 via: https://www.cdc.gov/
  • Mental Health Foundation. Pets and mental health. Accessed online Dec 2020 via: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
  • Cats Protection. Media Release, Jan 2012. Purring the blues away. Accessed online via: https://www.cats.org.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/purring-the-blues-away