Some great health-based reasons to own a pet.

futurekr(70)

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I have been writing a lot about pets in this space of mine and I am so happy to get all the reactions that I constantly get from you my hive friends, let me mention quickly that the stem social community has shown tremendous support which has helped for my growth significantly here, and I am very grateful for it. So back to what I was sharing, I have written about different animal infections on this channel, both the zoonotic and the non-zoonotic ones, it has been an opportunity of increased knowledge for me just as I believe it has also been for you, my dear friends.

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Today however, I want to do something different from the infections, instead, I will like to tell you the amazing benefits that pets provide to humans, I can tell that not everyone is comfortable around pets, some for religious purposes, others for just personal reasons, which is very fine, everyone can definitely choose to live the way they want to, but this post today is to tell you about some of the amazing benefits of having a pet in your home.

There are several health benefits to owning a pet, according to studies, there is proof that the bond created between humans and their pets helps decrease their blood pressure, triglyceride levels, anxiety, symptoms of PTSD, and feelings of loneliness.
It also provides an increased opportunity for exercising and other outdoor activities, as it provides a better cognitive function in older adults, and it provides a better opportunity for socializing.

Scientists have also proven that stroking an animal can strongly reduce your stress level, so if you take a few minutes out of the 24 hours you have in a day to stroke your pet, your body would release some natural hormones that would make you feel very good, oxytocin, serotonin, and prolactin are released, it also lowers your cortisol, which functions as the body's natural stress hormone. When this happens, your body will be automatically sent into a relaxed state, and blood pressure would also be lowered by 10%.
Owning for dog for example requires that you walk them, and this would give you the ability to get some fresh air which is a very good opportunity to connect with nature and adequately bond with your pet.

One sweet thing about pets is that, they do not even ask for too much, all they need is safety for a home, they need sufficient water, food, and knowledge that you care about them, and that's just it, they will in turn give you a complete level of loyalty, companionship and friendship. Imagine walking home to a sweet pet who is always excited to have you back. I have a friend whose pet will stay outside by the door every day, awaiting her return from work (so sweet).

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Some dogs are trained to become therapy dogs, they are very good at providing support and comfort to humans, and they are sometimes taken to hospitals and nursing homes to help patients reduce their anxiety and stress. You need to own a loving dog in order to know how loving they can be, they are very present in their owner's life, they know when to curl up to you on the couch and when to just let you be.
There was a study that said children who read to pets, actually show better social skills, more sharing and volunteering ability also, they also have lesser behavioral issues, there was another study that showed that children who had to deal with autism usually had their anxiety levels dropped, and overall they were able to build a better level of social interaction as they got more engaged with their peers.

A recently concluded study that was carried out at the University of Utah, shared their shreds of evidence;
They shared that having a companion dog is linked with lower cardiovascular responses during stressors, lower than having a close friend around. When one is confidently attached or satisfied with a dog, according to their research, then the owner would have an increased level of oxytocin in the brain when compared to those who do not have dogs.

They shared as well that, companion dogs contribute significantly to the aiding of social welfare situations, and therapy dogs alleviate pain and distress in chronic pain patients. Dogs play a significant role in psychiatric settings, it has successfully been used with patients who are struggling with loneliness, depression, addiction, and phobias. At the point when an emotional response is being examined with their dog present, then feelings get significantly lowered towards nervousness and distress.
From their research, they also shared that interactions with dogs actually make people very happy, lonely, secure, and more relaxed.

While I may be a victim of regularly mentioning dogs, please bear in mind that while dogs and cats are the most common pets we have other animals that can fit appropriately into the category of being a pet, so a dog does not necessarily need to be a cat or a dog, it could be a rabbit, a bird or even a fish, based on your preference. Do not know that, birds help with the maintenance of a sharp mind especially in older adults, even spending the time to watch an aquarium with a fish in it, can help greatly to reduce muscle tension and lower pulse rate. Other reptiles like lizards, and snakes are exotic pets that I don't think an ordinary person can afford to maintain.

I also know very well that pets make one responsible, knowing that you have someone you need to feed and take care of consistently, will make you get up from bed more early. While pets have these numerous benefits, it is relevant that we understand that, it is not alright to just purchase any pet just like that, there are questions that need answers like; the health status of the animal, the size of the pet, and how big it can become considering the size of your living space, if you will have the time for the care and exercise it requires, cleaning up after the pet is also a lot of time and you must answer if you really have enough time for that, and most importantly, your own health status should be strongly considered and speak to a professional to help recommend a good and healthy one.

Let me conclude by mentioning an act I have spoken about over and over on this blog and that is the importance of washing your hands with soap and water as a pet owner;

Wash after cleaning up or playing with your pet.
Wash any time you want to drink or eat.
Wash after feeding your pet.
Wash after touching a strange pet.

I hope you will love to get a pet today, but I also hope that you will put your health first and seek the help of a professional to get you a healthy one, and when you do always watch out for them and for yourself.