Can Pets Improve Mental Health? 5 Ways They Give Life Meaning

Can pets improve mental health? Science generally says their presence is beneficial. Animal lovers think having a dog or a cat around can make them happier and healthier. Fortunately, evidence of these merits abounds. Several studies have proved that while it can be a source of hairy health hazards for some, adopting one offers a long list of upsides. Learn how bringing a dog or a cat home can improve mental health. Understanding the Link Between Pets and Mental Health Owning a pet has been associated with psychological health benefits —the interaction, companionship and fun these furry friends bring impact human health in many ways. For example, the bouts of pet-stroking can help reduce stress levels and put you in a good mood. These much-loved family members provide significant health merits to those around them.  Benefits of Pets on Mental Health Pets can be a source of joy. Caring for them may be a huge responsibility but they make their owners happy in many ways. Some cite their furry family members have made their lives more meaningful. Others claim adopting a dog has helped them heal from mental worries, like depression. Learn the different ways owning a pet can boost your mental well-being.  1. Reduce Stress  When a golden retriever bud excitedly wags its tail and jumps on you as you open the door, you'll have no choice but to reciprocate the enthusiasm with a smile. This scenario describes how seeing your loved furry animals can instantly cure stress and uplift your mood.  In one study, college students who interacted with their dogs for 10 minutes improved their stress levels and mood.  Pets have effects comparable to sedatives, helping you calm nerves and tension. They're always there to listen if you need to vent or have a problem you can't share with anyone. They can detect when you’re stressed and in need of comfort. The best thing is that their presence makes you feel like you have a friend to lean on around the clock.  2. Improve Resilience and Overall Mental Well-Being Having an animal as a companion has impressive psychological merits. During the pandemic, pet owners had significantly higher levels of mental well-being, were better at coping with negative situations and generally more emotionally positive compared to non-pet owners.  Furry family members can provide meaningful interactions, boosting their owners' resilience under highly stressful situations. With them around, you won't have to feel lonely or isolated.   3. Enhance Physical Activity If you want to stay fit, adopting a highly active dog can be the solution to incorporating a habit of exercise into your daily routine. Pets influence people's lifestyles in optimistic ways.  Responsible owners treat their pets like young family members, giving them healthy food and taking them out in the morning to exercise and get sun exposure. Dogs have a considerable positive effect on their owners' movement activities. They'll bug you to play outside until you give in. Outdoor activities can strengthen your bond and give you mutual health benefits. You can play fetch or tug-of-war, go for a hike or swim. You’ll be challenged to match your dog’s unceasing energy and inspired to engage in any type of movement. Anything that keeps you active can merit your mental well-being. Some breeds have a higher exercise requirement, which you must meet to keep your furry friends healthy and fit.  Some breeds have a higher exercise requirement, which you must meet to keep your furry friends healthy and fit.  4. Boost Immune System Some people refuse to adopt pets due to health worries such as allergies. While it's understandable, evidence also cites that their presence can strengthen one's immune system and allergy resistance.  An earlier study found children exposed to pets before birth had 28.8% lower immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels than offspring in homes without them.  IgE is an antibody the immune system makes that binds with the allergens. Higher volumes mean your body is more sensitive to common allergens and conditions, like food allergies, eczema and asthma.  Scientists found owning a dog can lower the IgE levels by 26.7%. The effects continue through the child's teen years, increasing their resistance to allergies. One theory revealed dogs tend to bring bacteria from the outside into the home, influencing the unborn child's gut microbiome. As a result, their immune system matures faster, and they develop resistance to allergies.  A robust immune system is associated with improved mental health.  5. Lower the Risk of Heart Disease Cardiovascular illnesses are a leading cause of death among Americans. One person dies every 33 seconds from it and it’s become a public health concern. While an ideal lifestyle helps people sidestep the risk factors of heart illnesses, a pet can also elevate overall quality of life. One way they support their owners is through increased physical activities, which lowers their incidence of obesity. Dogs and cats will force you to get up from bed, go outside and exercise, allowing you to maintain a healthy weight and live more actively.  Unless you're allergic, having furry family members appears to bring more benefits than downsides. Do you feel excited to adopt one? Before doing so, note that taking a pet home is a responsibility. You'll have to provide food and bring them to vet sessions. While their needs will take a cut from your paycheck,  they can increase your quality of life by being a source of joy. Other Ways to Improve Mental Health You can't solely entrust your health to your pet. Here are other lifestyle shifts that can boost your mental health.  Get sufficient sleep. It’s good for the brain.  Consume a balanced diet. Some foods, like salmon, avocados and nuts, are rich in compounds and nutrients that support cognitive health.  Include exercise in your routine. Consider increasing your movement besides the light morning walks with your pets. Regular gym sessions can do wonders for your physical and mental health.  Try a relaxing activity. Spending time in nature and engaging in fun hobbies can deflate stress and minimize its impact on mental health. Stay connected. Schedule social activities with friends and family members. Meaningful conversations are like an exercise to the brain.  Adopting a Pet Can Improve Mental Health Having furry family members at home has many health upsides. They can reduce stress, improve your coping abilities, boost immunity, and encourage physical activities. However, caring for them is a huge responsibility. Consider if you're up for the challenge before bringing a dog or a cat into your residence.

You love your dog, and that means you often want to feed them the tasty treats you enjoy. After all, it might not feel fair for them to miss out. Many desserts feature cinnamon, a spice that can pack flavor in every bite. But is cinnamon bad for dogs? You'll want to make sure you feed your dog only the best so they can stay in excellent health. In short, no, cinnamon is not bad for dogs. Still, that doesn't mean you can be feeding your dog handfuls of cinnamon at a time. While your dog may not face fatal side effects by ingesting some cinnamon, eating it can still be a cause for concern.  What to Watch Out for With Cinnamon Mainly, you should watch out for cinnamon essential oil, as it can poison your pet. Essential oils are bad to have around pets in general, as they can be toxic once in contact with your dog's skin. Try to keep essential oils locked away in another room, where your dog can't get to them. If you like the aroma of essential oils, opt for a non-toxic candle instead if you want the scent in the same room as your dog. You also need to be aware of your dog's size. Smaller dogs can tolerate smaller quantities of cinnamon. Larger dogs will likely be all right if they ingest a little more than a teaspoon, but that doesn't mean that you should try it out. It's better to err on the side of caution, which means not intentionally feeding your dog a lot of cinnamon — if you feed them any at all. How Much Cinnamon Can Dogs Have? Is cinnamon bad for dogs? No, but it isn't always a good dietary option, either. Really, no amount of cinnamon is entirely safe for a dog to ingest. Humans enjoy a host of benefits from consuming cinnamon, such as aiding in digestion or even reducing the risk of cancer in some people. Unfortunately, dogs don't have the same proven results. It's still to be determined whether a dietary supplement of cinnamon could actually help your dog, so talk to your veterinarian before feeding your pup any. You may consider substituting another natural supplement to achieve the results you want for your dog. One of the side effects of dogs eating too much cinnamon is that it could lead to skin and digestive issues in your pup. In fact, allowing your dog to ingest cinnamon on a regular basis can lead to irritation — so you shouldn't use it as a topping for their daily meals. Similar to how humans may have difficulty breathing after inhaling too much cinnamon, dogs also can have irritated airways from breathing the spice in. Be sure to watch out if your dog is in the kitchen while you're cooking. So, Is Cinnamon Bad for Dogs? No, cinnamon is not bad for dogs inherently. It can cause irritation, though the severity depends on how much they ingest, but it will not kill them. However, don't use this as an excuse to give your pup some of your tasty desserts! While people may rely on cinnamon to add flavor as they cut back on something like salt, dogs don't particularly need a lot of flavor in their food. If you want to give your dog some delicious people food, try creating homemade apple or peanut butter treats instead. Your dog will thank you for the tasty snack!

Did you know this past Sunday was National Dog Day? If you’re a dog owner, maybe you took your pooch out to the dog park for this special day! Pets can have a bigger impact on our lives than we may realize. Their companionship has proven mental health benefits, not to mention those cute faces! If you’re a pet person, you can probably attest to why pets are good for you, and the happiness and livelihood they bring to your life and well-being. Here are a few ways pets can support our mental health. Pets Get You Outside Taking your dog out for a walk gets you out as well! Dogs need to be walked, so this will naturally become a regular exercise routine for you that you don't even have to think about! Getting outside elevates your mood in several ways. The fresh air and sunlight can help us feel better and elevate our Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D helps fight many conditions like depression, obesity and cancer. Pets Build Our Immunity Another reason why pets are good for you is that people who grow up around pets are actually less likely to develop allergies. Studies show this is related to the exposure and eventual immunity to allergy-inducers like pet dander. In the long-term, allergies have way more of an effect on us than just a sniffly nose. Allergies can lead to increased lethargy and insomnia, which in turn can lead to issues like depression. Pets Keep Us Grounded and Mindful Almost anyone with a pet can attest to coming home after a crappy day and being instantly distracted by something funny or cute their pet is doing! Pets can be an automatic distraction from whatever is plaguing us, which over time, can help us to become much more mindful and present in the current moment. Companionship The companionship that a pet provides for us is something that can't necessarily be put into words. Pets are often intuitive and can tell when we really need someone by our side. They love us unconditionally and make us feel important and needed, which is a natural human desire. Additionally, pets can be great for people who have an extreme fear or phobia of loneliness that negatively affects other ares of their lives. Just always be sure you're getting a pet for the right reasons, because they are a long-term commitment. Pets can improve our lives in many ways, and that often leads to better mental health. The saying that dog is "man's best friend" holds true for many pets -- and hey, also for women! Pets have made loyal, wonderful companions for hundreds of years, and this is one of the many indicators of why pets are good for you. If you're thinking about getting a pet, consider your lifestyle factors and whether you can devote the time to it. It is important not to get a pet just for your own benefit. They require significant care in order for you to be good for them. Below, we've listed few excellent resources on some important things that new pet owners should know about: Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership - American Veterinary Medical Association Household Chemicals Poisonous to Pets - ASPCA Poisonous Plants to Dogs and Cats - Rover If after researching, you think you can make caring for a pet properly a priority, they are definitely worth the extra effort!