How Pets Help Your Health

Pets can sometimes irritate us, but on the whole they are fun, affectionate, and good companions. People in the U.S. have more cats and dogs than folks in any other country. A 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey done by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc, found that 62% of American homes had a pet. This survey included birds, cats, dogs, equines, fresh and saltwater fish, reptiles, and small animals.

Twenty-five years of research has proven that having a pet is beneficial to your health. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that pets decrease lonely feelings, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A few studies have revealed that people that suffered a heart attack increased their years, if they had a pet. Karen Allen, PhD of the University of Buffalo conducted a study with 48 stockbrokers suffering high blood pressure and found that the brokers owning a pet maintained lower blood pressure when stressed than those without a pet.

A study of women surviving breast cancer in the United Kingdom discovered that these women between the ages of 50 to 60 had an easier recovery because of their pets and they said 87% of these survivors related the pet fulfilled a social need and 43% said their pets fulfilled 10 different social needs. This was reported in November 26, 2005 issue of the British Medical Journal.

James E. Gern, MD, researched allergic and bacterial reaction and immunity of babies. He analyzed their blood after birth and a year afterward. He found that the babies that had a dog in the home were less disposed to have allergic reactions and their immune system chemicals had increased, meaning their immune systems were stronger. Gern is a pediatrician associated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He reported his findings in the February 2004 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Research conducted at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Goteborg, Sweden concluded that kids around pets during their first year had lower statistics for having allergy rhinitis between the ages of 7 to 9 and less asthma problems between the ages of 12 to 13. They studied 2,500 children. Only 3.3 percent of the kids living with pets as infants had allergies at ages 12 to 13, while those not exposed to pets shot up to 8.5 developing allergies at the same age. This study was published in the May 2000 issue of Clinical and Experimental Allergy.

One of the health benefits of owning a dog is taking him for a walk each day. This exercise is good for him and his owner. This daily routine helps to lower risk factors for many diseases. The affection of a dog or cat certainly is uplifting and their companionship is real and comforting. This is excellent for those that have pets and enjoy them. It really isn't a reason for someone to get a pet that doesn't like animals. But, if you like animals and just don't have a pet at this time, getting one when possible will be good for you.