Here’s why having a pet can help your emotional health as well as your physical well-being!

Decrease stress
When a person connects with a pet by petting them, oxytocin, the hormone related to stress and anxiety relief, is released.

Decreases Loneliness
If you live alone, having a four-legged friend around makes you feel less lonely. Plus, all the walks you do may result in a new neighborly bond with a fellow walker!

Benefits Those With Special Needs
Kids with ADHD, for example, find it difficult to focus. Since pets require attention and a schedule, caring for them (which includes keeping a schedule) can be an invaluable tool.

Benefits Your Heart Health
Having a dog has been associated with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Likewise, a cat’s purring has been linked to lower stress and blood pressure levels.

May Prevent Allergies From Forming
If you’re asking “What good does this do me if I have pet allergies?” there’s good news on that front too. Research indicates that if you are exposed to animals at an early age, it can actually prevent allergies from developing.

Detect medical conditions
Research has found that one-third of the pets—such as dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits—who live with people who have diabetes would change their behavior when their owner’s blood sugar level dropped. Other reports have indicated that canine friends have sniffed or licked a mole or lump on their owner’s body because they may have the ability to smell cancer.