How Pets Can Benefit Your Health

Ask any pet owner about their animal companions, and it won’t take long for them to start telling stories about how wonderful they are to have around. From furry faces to feathered friends, pets come in all shapes, sizes and types. No matter their differences, one trait among pets is universal: Their owners love them, and for good reason. Pets offer numerous benefits to their owners, especially when it comes to health. Here are a few of the ways owning a pet can benefit older adults.

You Always Have a Friend Close By

For older adults who live alone, having a pet offers another friendly presence in their home. What’s more, that friendly, often furry, friend will demand your affection. Even when the sky outside is dreary and you may be feeling blue, your pets are always there to cheer you up. And it’s almost impossible not to smile when you see a dog’s tail wagging excitedly or hear the high-pitched meow of a cat asking for its head scratched. Pets also become unique attuned to their owners schedules over time, meaning you can expect to have your companion keeping up with your routine.

They Help You Feel Better

Simply having a pet around can improve a person’s mood, even if they aren’t aware it’s happening. Pets tend to do things that can’t help but put a smile on your face. In fact, some studies have shown that people interacting with animals have lower levels of stress as well as healthier blood pressure. Many pets also exhibit behaviors specifically for humans, too. For instance, researchers have also found that cats only meow at people, not other cats. Both cats and dogs have also been observed reacting to their owners emotions, so if you’re feeling a little down, don’t be surprised if your furry friend wants to be close by.

They Keep People Active

Staying active is a crucial part of healthy aging, and pets are a powerful motivator to make sure you’re up and moving every day. Dogs require regular walks, and depending on their age and breed, they may want to be outside multiple times a day. Cats, although not as energetic as dogs, also enjoy playing and moving around the house, and regular interaction with them is a great way to get up and move, even if it’s just for a little while. The countless hours of entertainment you can have playing with a pet add up, and the physical activity they evoke from their owners comes with a healthy dose of fun.

Pets Create a Routine

Pets require care, and that care is best handled by getting into a routine. Inactivity is detrimental to a person’s health no matter what age they are, but it’s especially problematic the older we get. Physical and mental well-being are affected when we don't engage our minds and bodies, but pets almost force people into doing just that. Ensuring pets have fresh water and food, that they’re cleaned up after and that they’re getting the necessary amount of exercise they need each day will keep them healthy while creating a set of easy-to-complete tasks that also engage their owners’ bodies and minds. And after a week or two of establishing a routine with your pets, the habits will become almost automatic, meaning staying in a rhythm will become a normal, healthy part of your day.

You’ll Be Part of a Community

One thing all pet owners love to do is to talk about their animals, and that creates a sense of camaraderie among others with their own pets. It offers a great icebreaker for conversations with people you meet and almost always gives you a story to tell. Pets do some pretty adorable, funny things, and sharing those happenings with others can be a fun way to build connections.

Conclusion

Pets make lovely companions, and while there is some work involved in caring for another living creature, you don’t have to do it alone. The caregivers at Visiting Angels Matawan can help get you started and even answer questions about whether getting a furry, feathered or even scaley companion is right for you. Get in touch with us by calling 732-538-9186.