How Pets Can Improve Your Health

I am an animal lover. I have a little dog that I adore. She keeps me active and calms me and it turns out I am not alone. But don’t take my word for it, check out what various studies are saying about how pets can improve your health and well-being:

Pets promote exercise. Dog owners are 41% more likely to get recommended exercise levels. Walking with a dog also pushes you to go faster and longer than without.

Pets lower health risks. Owning a pet is associated with a healthier body weight, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased mobility with age. 

Pets reduce stress and anxiety. Medical and dental patients who spent just 15 min. with an animal before exams reported feeling more calm. Just 5 min. with a pet can significantly reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

Pets promote socialization. Walking with a dog strikes up more conversations with neighbors. Furthermore, people who are more socially connected tend to live longer and more healthfully.

Pets reduce risk of developing allergies. Exposing young children to pets can prevent the development of allergies later in life. If you already have pet-related allergies, it can be beneficial to limit time around pets or take allergy medications.

Pets lower blood pressure. Both at rest and under stress, pet owners had lower blood pressure levels. One study found that simply having an animal in a room during a test prevented blood pressure spikes.

Pets make illness more manageable. Numerous studies show the psychological support animals provide to seniors, cancer patients, and people with chronic illnesses.

Pets are ideal confidants. A specialist in child development reported that children often confide first in their pets.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health-pictures/ways-your-pet-makes-you-healthy.aspx#11

http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2009/February/feature1.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/index.html

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.