Imagine a grade schoolteacher giving her students an assignment. She asks them to simply draw a picture of their family. Little Ava draws her mom, dad, brother, and herself all standing in front of their home. Off in the corner of the paper, she draws a comically large depiction of her dog. Including the dog in her “family portrait” was a slam dunk for her. The pet is an important member of the family. Owning a pet is a large responsibility that should not be taken lightly. There are numerous benefits of pet ownership. In this article, you will learn some of these benefits.
They help reduce stress
Stress is something that everyone goes through. There are all sorts of triggers that cause stress. Whether it be work, relationships, or something else, stress is never fun. Nearly half of young adults admit to experience increased stress levels. We are constantly on the lookout for ways to reduce stress. Some of the most common stress relievers are meditation, exercise, reading, watching television, and hobbies. Another one of the most popular stress relievers is spending time with our pets
A person comes home from work after a particularly stressful day. Maybe your boss screamed at you or something went wrong. The stress, however, seems to go away as soon as they walk through the door. The pet scurries up towards the door to greet his “human.” That big smile from your pet can absolutely melt you.
Cats and dogs crave attention. When you go away, they will miss you. When you, return, however, they will be so excited to see you. Having a pet cuddle up with you can create a calming effect. At this moment you might feel like “all is right with the world.” They can provide a nice distraction from the issues of the day. While you should not ignore all of your problems, your pet can give you a nice reprieve from it all. Helping to reduce stress is frequently cited as one of the most popular benefits of pet ownership.
They teach responsibility
When you have a pet, you have a life to take care of. They turn to you for all of their wants and needs. This may sound like a lot of work, but it is actually one of the great benefits of pet ownership. If parents want to teach their children about responsibility, helping with the cat or dog care can be exceptionally valuable. It can help teach them about adhering to schedules. You might want to maintain a solid eating and drinking schedule for your furry friend. This can help teach your children good time management skills.
Your dog or cat will likely have a few “accidents.” Before things get out of hand, you will need to work on training them. You can involve your children in the process, and they will learn more responsibility. They can also help you with the carpet cleaning process. If your children are helping with the various household chores, you will give them valuable life skills.
Pets cost money. Whether you’re purchasing little Rover’s medication, dog food, or pet care supplies, you will need to keep your finances in order. This could be an opportunity to teach your kids about budgeting and financial planning. These life skills are also valuable life skills. All of these teaching opportunities are some fantastic benefits of pet ownership.
These responsibilities are not just limited to the children. Adults definitely benefit as well. If your life is hectic and frazzled, caring for your pet may help establish a solid schedule for you to stick to. Pets crave a routine. As you keep them to this schedule, you will in turn become more organized. You will have to make veterinarian appointments, maintain a medication routine, and make sure they are given frequent walks. Pets can be a lot work, but they can help you settle down and adhere to strict routines. This is one of the many benefits of pet ownership.
They help you get more exercise
Dogs and cats are full of energy and require frequent bouts of exercise. Some of their favorite activities include walks and playing fetch. Exercise goes a long way to help pet wellness for your furry friend. These exercises do not just benefit your pet. You will also reap some of the rewards as well. Every morning little Bowser wakes you up, eager to go on his morning walk. As they walk, you will also get your steps in. Holding on to the leash will also help your arm strength. If your pet is particularly active, you will be moving faster. That will get your heart pumping. Your “walk” will turn into more of a run. Bowser may help you get whipped up into shape.
They have sleeping benefits
Poor sleep habits have an adverse effect on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Seven to eight hours of sleep every night is recommended for adults. You might believe that pets negatively affect your sleep. A noise or disturbance might send your pet into a frenzy and cause them to start barking. It wakes you up and then you struggle to fall back asleep. While these instances do occur, helping your sleep schedule is another on of the benefits of pet ownership.
Pets also have a pretty strict sleeping schedule. You might notice that your dog or cat wants to go to bed at the same time every night. They will probably awake around the same time every morning. If your pet sleeps with you, you will follow along the same sleeping routine. This will help you get a full night’s rest. Good sleep is also beneficial for increasing pet wellness. With a solid night of sleep, you will be prepared to take on all of the challenges of the day. You will also have more energy to keep up with your little furball.
They help with your security
Pets are a diverse group and serve many different roles. Sometimes your pet serves a more practical purpose than just cuddling. Dogs is particular can help provide security. A good watchdog can help alert you of something out of the ordinary. You do not need to worry about every person walking down the street or that squirrel in the backyard. Police and military employ trained dogs to help with drug and bomb detection, among other services. Security is one of the most helpful benefits of pet ownership.
There are many different dog breeds that are most often associated with security. Rottweilers and German Shepherds are some most popular breeds in these roles. Your dog may be a smaller or more docile breed. If you’re in the midst of a dangerous situation, a Yorkshire terrier will probably not offer you much protection. They can, however, alert you to an unusual situation. Imagine that you’re lying in bed one night. Something seems off. You may have heard a strange noise in the distance. Dogs have excellent hearing. If there was truly something going on, they would likely show signs of distress and start barking. They have different inflections to their barks so you can at least surmise why they are exhibiting this behavior. You can now spring into action if need be. This scrappy little puppy can be a great emergency alert system.
They help you create bonds with other pet owners
When you become a pet owner, you will likely find a sense of community with other pet owners. This can incredibly helpful. Your pet will enjoy meeting other animals and developing some new friendships. You might meet these other owners at the dog park, walking throughout the neighborhood, and outside the vet’s office. Relationships with these other owners can develop into friendships or even new romances. They can also provide some useful information. You might worry about what to do in a medical emergency. A more seasoned pet parent may bestow helpful advice on what to do and recommend an animal hospital.
Medical issues, unfortunately, plague many pets. Your new group of fellow pet parents can offer some great recommendations such as which animal hospitals offer animal diagnostic services and other medical services. This can be critical information for you. You may also be experiencing stress and worry over your pet’s medical issues. Your new friends can offer comfort and support to you. Consider joining a pet owners group on social media to find even more new friends. These new relationships are some of the many benefits of pet ownership.
Pets help encourage creativity
There are many obvious benefits to pet ownership. Flexing your creative muscles is one rather obscure benefit. Pets are constantly on the go and to keep up with them our minds have to constantly be alert. As your mind is constantly moving you can create some new ideas. When your pet wants to play, you might be able to think up some new games for them to play.
If you’re good with a hammer and nails, you can use your skills to create something new for your pet. You might want to create a custom dog house that your furry friend can relax in. Check online for some video tutorials for reference. You can also use your creativity and ingenuity to create some new toys for your pet. Pet toys do not have a long shelf life. Depending on the materials, that new toy you bought for Mr. Whiskers may only last a few hours or days. If you have to keep purchasing new toys it could hurt your wallet. By using some materials you already have around the house, you can save some money. Reusing these materials will also help the environment and cut down on your garbage. These new toys may not last very long, but it’s better than spending $10 on a toy that will be gone by lunchtime.
They provide comfort
In the many benefits of pet ownership, comfort is one of the simplest yet most noteworthy. Pets do have a positive effect on stress levels. Even if you’re not in a stressful mood, your pet can be a comforting and reassuring presence. They can be just what you need if you’re feeling lonely. Their mere presence can have a calming effect no matter what you may be going through.
Animals hijinks are among the most popular genres of YouTube videos. Many people looking for a pick-me-up will scour the internet for funny animal videos. Pets can be incredibly funny. Whether they are chasing their tail or destroying their new toy, they are sure to bring a smile and laugh to your face. While your pet will not be a 100% angel, they are sure to give you that needed cheering up.
Considering the negatives
Being a pet owner can be an exceptionally rewarding experience. However, not everyone is cut out for pet ownership. Pets can bring so much joy, but they do require a great deal of responsibility. For people who travel a lot and spend little time at home, pet ownership is not recommended. Someone who is struggling financially may not be able to properly provide for their pet. Many of us enjoy the attention and love that pets give us, but it is a two-way street. You need to make a commitment to your pet. If you feel that you can handle all that comes with pet ownership. There are a number of resources and support for any concerns you may have.
Pets can sometimes act out. Even the most docile of pets can grow aggressive if pushed hard enough. A new pet owner may wonder “What if my dog ever bites someone?” The owner, in that situation, could face legal problems and will need to hire a dog bite attorney. You can help prevent this by enrolling your dog into a training course. Animal trainers can do wonders with any pet. Talk with your fellow pet parents for recommendations. If you’re planning to adopt a shelter pet, that animal may have been abused and are naturally more aggressive. With proper training and tender care, they can develop into a joyful and pleasant pet.
There are other, less serious, accidents that come with pet ownership. These “accidents” will leave a mark on your carpet and tile. With proper potty training, you should be able to reduce this. The local pet or grocery store should carry high-quality cleaners and stain removers to help. Other pet owners and the pet store employees should be able to provide some suggestions. Some of these issues are cause for concern but they should not be dealbreakers.
If you have it in you to take care of a pet, it is highly recommended. You might find that the benefits of pet ownership far outweigh the risks. Your pet can give you so many rewards. In return, you can provide the pet with a loving and caring home.
