Being a pet owner has many benefits. So many that in 2002 a college in Montana began offering a minor in Anthrozoology, studying the value of animals from an academic and scholarly perspective. In 2011 they began offering this as a college major. Many scholarly papers have come from those students but in “real life“ terms these are the reasons you need your pet.
- Decreased Stress
People with pets control their stress better. They let off steam talking to their pets (plus their pets don’t argue or talk back!). - Increased Fitness
People with pets get more exercise. Pet owners tend to play with their pets, getting them up off the couch and doing more activity. Dog owners typically walk their pets at least twice a day, regardless of the outside temperature. Pets can instill good habits in those who otherwise would lead sedentary lives. - Decreased Loneliness
People with pets are never lonely. They always have their best friend available. Pets give psychological comfort and companionship. - Increased Self-Esteem
Pets are always there for you. They give their owners unconditional love. - Increased Longevity
Many studies conclude that people live longer when they have a pet. Elderly patients with pets tend to outlive their petless peers. A recent study showed that patients discharged from a critical care unit to a home where a pet was waiting for them had a better one-year survival rate.
So for a much better, healthier and longer life GET A PET.