The positive impact of companion animals on health is so well known that it’s called ‘the pet effect’. How might they help?
Improved Well-being
Pets can boost your mood and calm you down, lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increasing serotonin, the feel-good chemical. This can happen just by watching fish in a tank or stroking your cat.
Protection Against Heart Disease
Multiple studies flag up the beneficial effect of pets on the cardiovascular system. Research has found that pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and are less likely to die of heart disease. Cats get a particularly good press: people who’d never had a cat were found to have a 40% higher chance of dying from a heart attack, while cat owners also had fewer strokes.
More Social Interaction
Pets can help people feel less lonely. Beyond that, dog owners are more likely to meet and chat with other humans when they’re out and about with their canine companions. This can be very important if you live alone.
Better Cognition
A 2022 study found that people with pets concentrated better, processed information more quickly and had a better memory than those without. The suggestion was furry friends could lower cognitive age by 15 years.
Increased Fitness
A dog forces you to get outside and exercise, making it much easier to reach your recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Meanwhile, riding a horse can burn up to 400 calories an hour.
