Why pets are good for our health?

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Life is extremely valuable and precious. We are constantly looking for new and better ways to extend and enhance our lives. We've all heard people say that pets are "just" animals as if they don't play a significant role in our lives. These people have almost certainly never owned a faithful dog or a loving pet, and their statements are false. Most pet owners are aware of the joys of having a pet; they are aware of the companionship and the beautiful bonds that can form between animals and humans. The advantages of having a pet are many. Pets are an integral part of our daily lives and communities. Pets not only provide us with companionship and unconditional love, but they also play a vital role in improving the quality of our lives. They provide us with a companion and emotional support, reducing our stress levels and feelings of isolation while also motivating us to engage in more social activities. They also contribute to a child's self-esteem and positive emotional growth. We must ensure that our pets are kept safe and fit. They receive good food, love, and affection. They have adequate housing and care. Pets, especially dogs, contribute to society in several ways. We asked dogs to assist people in a wide variety of tasks. The dogs have a heightened sense of smell, and we can train them. Therapy dogs visit nursing homes, clinics, and disabled care centers to connect with patients to enhance their quality of life. They help firefighters and police officers track down people and save thousands of people every year all over the world. Hospital warning and detection dogs can help detect cancer. They can also help people with diabetes, narcolepsy, Addison's disease, and epilepsy get medical help when they need it. Regularly, these dogs save people's lives. Pets are good for health. Did you know that stroking an animal has clinically reduced stress levels? Your body will release the normal happy hormones oxytocin, prolactin, and serotonin if you spend 15 minutes petting your beloved cat or dog. It also helps to reduce cortisol, which is a natural stress hormone. It allows our body to relax and decreases blood pressure by 10%. If you own a dog, you'll need to walk it at least once or twice a day, which ensures you'll get some much-needed fresh air and exercise while interacting with nature and bonding with your pet. Our four-legged friends give unconditional love. Animals don't ask for much in life, and the majority of them only need a warm, clean, and protected home, as well as sufficient food, water, and exercise. They will provide you with unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship in exchange. Dogs are more well-known for their unconditional love; cats, on the other hand, can be fickle! Getting a furry pet, on the other hand, means you'll still have a little living being waiting for you at home, ready to greet you with a wagging tail or a purr.

It is a good thing that our pets can get so much in our life. Certain dog breeds are ideal for offering emotional and physical support if you are especially vulnerable or have special needs. We can alleviate loneliness by having a dog or cat as a friend, someone to chat to, and someone to sit in the evenings. When it comes to depression and grief, pets can be lifesavers. When you're feeling especially sad or nervous, they can give you a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed. Cats and dogs, for example, can have a highly soothing effect on humans and can also pick up on their owners' moods, such as snuggling up to you when you're sad or licking your hands when you're anxious. Then there are the service dogs that we can see while we are out. They help physically impaired people (the disabled, blind, and deaf). These dogs assist disabled people with their daily needs and perform different tasks to make their lives easier, such as opening and closing doors, helping people undressing, and emptying washing machines. Pets are becoming more popular in our homes and everyday lives. Our pets, like us, live longer lives. Hence our pets live longer than ever before; we need new and better ways to care for them. When we get a new pet, we need to find the right fit for us. I suggest that we adopt rather than buying. Do some preliminary research into the animal's specific requirements. Before you get a pet, ask yourself the following questions: How long will this animal live? What does the pet eat? How large will it become? How much exercise does the pet need? How much will it cost for veterinary care? What type of habitat does this pet need to be healthy? Do I have enough time to clean up after the pet? Are pets allowed in my house, apartment, or condominium? Are there young children, older people, or people with weak immune systems who will care for or be around the pet?

We must keep our pets healthy. Providing daily, life-long veterinary care for your dog, cat, horse, parakeet, gerbil, bearded dragon or other fun pet is vital for keeping your pet and family safe. We should not overstate our pet's wellbeing. Consult your veterinarian for advice on how to keep your pet safe. Provide a healthy diet, freshwater, clean bedding, and plenty of exercise for your pet. Vaccinations, deworming, and flea and tick protection for your pet should be up to date. Ticks borne by some pets can transmit serious diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fleas may be a problem for both animals and their owners in plague-affected regions, such as rural areas in the western United States. If you have any concerns about your pet's welfare or suspect that he or she is ill, contact your veterinarian. Practicing good pet grooming, in addition to hand washing, will help prevent the spread of germs between pets and humans. Keep pets and their supplies out of the kitchen and, where possible, clean pet habitats and supplies outside the house. Cleaning supplies in the kitchen sink, food storage areas, or bathroom sink is never a good idea. Pets can contaminate surfaces in your home with germs, and you don't even have to touch them to get sick. Always use a bag to clean your dog's feces or poop from your yard and public places. We need to dispose of poop properly; hence poop from dogs and cats may contain parasites and germs. To avoid roundworms and hookworms, keep children away from places where dog or cat feces may be present. We must cover sandboxes to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes. We can reduce the risk of parasite exposure by cleaning the cat's litter box daily. If at all necessary, pregnant women should stop changing a cat's litter box. It is also necessary to teach children how to interact with pets. Children can learn compassion and responsibility from pets. We must check the children while interacting with animals. It is to ensure the welfare of both the child and the animal. Teach kids to wash their hands immediately after playing with animals or touching something in the animals' habitat like cages, beds, food, or water dishes. After handling animals, don't let kids kiss them or place their hands or other things in their mouths. When children have direct interaction with farm animals, including animals at petting zoos and fairs, adults should supervise and be extra vigilant. In conclusion, we also have responsibility and contribution. We must take good care of our pets' health and wellbeing. When a pet becomes ill, it requires medical care, and a veterinarian should treat it at least once a year. Disease prevention and treatment not only keep them safe but also keeps us healthy. Having a pet will transform your life and bring you a great deal of joy and affection. They teach us responsibility, love us unconditionally, and are always there for us when we need them. Dogs need more upkeep but have many health benefits, while cats, rabbits, and gerbils are low maintenance, need a little exercise, and provide new meaning and purpose to our lives. --- Note: All images are from my social media account. #### References 1. [The Importance of Pets in Our Lives](https://transitionslifecare.org/2020/05/27/the-importance-of-pets-in-our-lives/) 2. [About Pets & People](https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/index.html#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20health%20benefits,depression%20by%20giving%20us%20companionship) 3. [How Pets Improve our Lives](https://viagenpets.com/pets-improve-lives/) 4. [The Importance of Pets](https://healthforanimals.org/ourcontribution/documents/importance_of_pets.pdf) 5. [The Power of Pets: Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets) 6. [Why having a pet is good for your health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-having-a-pet-is-good-for-your-health)

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