Amazing things that will happen to your body when you get a pet at home.

They have a positive impact on health.

Perhaps, there is nothing more pleasant than coming back home after a tough day and finding your pet patiently waiting for your return, showing great joy. Besides bringing happiness, domestic pets also play an essential role in strengthening health.

Many people need emotional support from animals. It is no wonder that there are psychological practices that involve the use of our smaller brethren.

Here’s what happens to your body when you have a domestic animal:

Increased lifespan

Although your furry friend may not be able to give you one of its nine lives, it can still help you improve your health and extend your lifespan.

A study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes showed that dog owners have a higher chance of living longer compared to those who do not have a pet.

Scientists say that loneliness and a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase the risk of premature death. Dogs are excellent motivators to get people outside for walks, and cats can provide comfort and help cope with stress.

Less pain

A study published in the journal Anthozoos found that patients recovering from total joint replacement surgery required significantly less pain medication if they participated in animal-assisted therapy.

How does it work? Distraction is one of the techniques that helps the body cope with constant pain. According to experts, when you pay attention to someone, for example, a dog or a cat, you feel less pain because you are less focused on it.

People suffering from chronic pain also notice that their pet acts as a powerful painkiller, distracting them during painful moments.

Stronger Bones

Every time you play with your pet or go for a walk together, your movements exert pressure on your bones, helping them become stronger. Prolonged weight-bearing also improves your balance.

The same cannot be said for cats, but their purring can help strengthen your own bones. The frequency of feline purring ranges from 20 to 150 hertz. Purring at a frequency of 25-100 Hz corresponds to therapeutic healing frequencies used in medical treatments for humans. This was reported by veterinarian and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, Gary Weitzman.

According to researchers, bones respond to frequencies of 25-50 Hz, while skin and soft tissues respond to frequencies up to 100 Hz. Although purring may be more beneficial for the cats themselves than for humans, Weitzman believes that it has a calming effect on people.

You Can Avoid Excess Weight

If you want to lose excess weight, taking your dog for a walk can be a great option.

According to a study published in the journal Physical Activity and Health, dog owners who regularly take their four-legged friends for walks lead a more active lifestyle, engaging in 2.5 times more recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

Even if you walk slowly, scientists say it is still very important for your health. A daily walk of just 30 minutes can burn over a hundred calories.

Lower Cholesterol Levels

Dog owners have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are essential for heart health.

Interestingly, dog owners had low cholesterol levels despite their diets.

Researchers believe that physical activity plays a significant role in maintaining low cholesterol levels. During walks with your pet, the energy you use triggers enzymes that remove low-density lipoproteins (the “bad” type of cholesterol that can accumulate in blood vessels and cause various problems) from your body.

Lower Blood Pressure

A study conducted by Australian scientists showed that pet owners have lower blood pressure compared to others. Even if a person suffered from obesity or experienced stress from demanding work, their beloved pet helped lower their blood pressure.

As known, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including heart diseases.

Of course, pets cannot replace medications for hypertensive patients, but they can be a beneficial bonus for them.

Stronger Immune System

Since most people spend their lives indoors, they have little contact with outdoor bacteria, which affects their immunity. This can be the cause of many illnesses triggered by harmful microorganisms to which the immune system hasn’t adapted.

However, having a pet can change all that, as it exposes a person to a multitude of microorganisms found on the animal’s fur.

It may sound strange, but your pet can indeed strengthen your health. Dogs are dirty animals, and this means that children exposed to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system. James E. Gern, a pediatrician from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who researched this topic, confirms this.

Reduced Depression

According to a survey conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 74% of pet owners reported that their mental health improved since the arrival of their pet.

Numerous studies suggest that pet owners are happier than those who don’t have pets, although scientists have not yet found a definitive answer as to why this happens. However, experts do know that having a pet nearby triggers the release of oxytocin in the human body, which improves mood.

In addition, owning pets stimulates social interaction, which has helped humans survive throughout history.

Research has shown that pet owners were 60% more likely to get to know other people.

Strong Sleep

According to research, our beloved pets also strengthen our sleep.

Although this seems like an ideal solution for those suffering from insomnia, there’s a small catch: you shouldn’t share the bed with your pet; it’s better to get them a separate bed or sleeping area.

Pet Ownership Reduces Stroke Risk

When blood flow is blocked and cannot reach the brain, a stroke occurs. Some scientists say that having a pet can help reduce the risk of stroke.

Furthermore, if you have a cat, the risk of a heart attack decreases by 30%, and the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases decreases by 40%.

According to the American Heart Association, even after a stroke, having a dog can reduce the risk of premature death by 30%. Researchers explained that this is probably due to increased physical activity in people who have a pet.

Your Heart and Brain Will Thank You

Pets not only fill our hearts with joy but also help us physically. According to research, cat owners are less prone to heart attacks.

But what if you’re not very fond of having a cat in your home? Another study showed that dog owners experience fewer recurrent heart problems.

It’s worth noting that no study has directly proven a link between pets and the health of their owners. Scientists believe that it all comes down to pets helping reduce stress hormone levels. A person experiencing stress is generally susceptible to numerous illnesses, including heart diseases.

Children Will Be Protected from Allergies

Unfortunately, there are people all over the world who cannot have pets due to allergies. However, research has shown that owning pets can help future generations become more resistant to allergies.

Studies have shown that the influence of animals on children can help prevent the development of allergies, asthma, and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Strangely, the study involved at least one parent with asthma or allergies, which means genetics have little to do with the development of allergies in children.

Allergy occurs when our immune system attacks something it shouldn’t, due to improper calibration. Jordan Peccia, a professor of environmental engineering at Yale University, reports this.

He explains that during the first three months of life, it is essential to expose children to the influence of microbes that pets bring in their fur. This early exposure strengthens children’s immunity.

Less Pain

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that children with a dog at home are less prone to anxiety, including social phobia and separation anxiety (fear of separation).

This is because being around a puppy increases the level of oxytocin. The calming effect can encourage children to interact with other people and gain self-confidence.

Reduced Stress

When you pet your pet, it helps reduce tension, relieve stress, and relax. Even just looking into your beloved pet’s eyes can make you feel better. That’s why some universities allow students to bring their favorite pets to campus during stressful study weeks.

According to scientists, this relaxing effect occurs due to oxytocin, which is produced to help the body relax. In dogs, for example, this hormone is produced when they look at their owner, and the owner, in turn, experiences the same effect. This was discovered by Professor Brian Hare from Duke University, USA.

But not only dogs or cats help cope with stress – fish are also wonderful helpers in this regard. Observing their smooth movements in the water helps a person relax. That’s why some doctors, especially dentists, install aquariums in clinics.

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