How Pets Can Make You Happier & Healthier

Feb 19, 2020 | Healthy Living, In The Community | 0 comments

Our favorite companions, our pets, can vary but they all have one constant…unwavering love. Let’s face it. Pets are paw-some. They’re adorable, silly, and I’m sure you have an endless amount of photos and videos of them. But did you know that there are measurable health benefits to owning a furry, feathery or scaly friend? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the bond between people and their pets can help to increase physical activity, lower stress levels and bring happiness to their owners. And you thought having a pet couldn’t get any better.

Increased Activity

Have a feeling you are becoming a couch potato? Maybe it’s time for you to get an active pet, like a medium-sized dog (Labrador retriever, Goldendoodle, Border Collie). Whether it’s a short stroll around your neighborhood, a run around City Park or a hike up to Horsetooth Rock, your companion, they get you outside moving! We know, the weather in Colorado can often be less than desirable. Don’t discount a good tug-of-war or inside game with your pet, it’s good for you both! It has been proven that actively playing with your pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.

Social Butterfly

Your pet can even help you make social connections. People may stop you to say ‘Hi!’ to your buddy or ask you questions. And what is better than a social gathering developed around pets? Bounce Animal Rescue hosts Pints & Puppies to bring people to dogs and puppies that need to be adopted. Check out when their next adoption event is. You can even search the internet and find a ton of different pet groups to join. It’s an easy way to bond with someone over a common interest like breed or even exotic pets. Your pet will also benefit from regular playdates and trips to the park. This can help with allowing your pet to be comfortable with other animals and people. Be the social butterfly you and your pet were meant to be.

Companionship

Owning and caring for a pet can help manage depression and feelings of loneliness by giving you the feeling of companionship. Have you ever frowned will petting a dog or watching a cat play with a laser? We can’t say that we have. Pets can also help you feel safer. Being home alone can make you feel on edge sometimes, especially at night. But having that furry friend by your side can help calm you down and stop you from overthinking what that loud creek was.

Children and Pets

If you have children, pets can also help them become more responsible and learn how to care for others. Teaching them the importance of caring for another living creature can help them grow as an individual. This helps them become more nurturing and empathetic; skills that are valuable to develop for everyday life. Forming this relationship also teaches your child how to build trust and loyalty in not only their relationship with your pet, but future relationships as well. It has also been proven that having a pet can help some children who have autism or other learning disorders. Talking and interacting with other people can be overwhelming for these children, so having a companion to spend time with and confide in is great. Past research has found that when a child with autism has a pet at a young age, they tend to have better social skills with people. This unconditional love helps boost your child’s self-esteem and gives them the confidence to interact with other people.

Expand Your Family

Are you looking to adopt a pet to bring into your family? Check out Bounce Animal Rescue! They are a nonprofit organization that helps place animals in their forever home. They are passionate about putting an emphasis on quality veterinary care, nutrition, spay/neuter programs, education and compatible adoptions. They are also an animal rescue that provides a lifetime commitment to all animals that come to them. This means they do not euthanize animals based on time or if they’re in need of more space. Bounce rescues over 1,000 displaced animals a year. They come from either high-kill shelters across the country, owner relinquishment’s, puppy mills, or hoarding cases. Visit Bounce Animal Rescue to find your new best friend!

 

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