Having a pet or pets comes with many responsibilities, but it also has many benefits. Animals can be very therapeutic and calming, and also allow people to feel happier and less lonely. Not only does a pet help mental health and brighten people’s moods, but they can also help with physical health and social life.

Many people with anxiety get pets to help them cope. Even just petting an animal is proven to decrease blood pressure, allowing you to feel calmer. This eases stress and anxiety. Also, having contact with another being calms the body down and also just allows people to feel less lonely. Playing with pets can also be a way to distract yourself and clear the mind. Also helping decrease stress levels, pets can add a routine to someone’s life since many pets require a consistent routine.

It is also proven that people with pets are less likely to suffer from depression than people who don’t have pets. Playing with your pet increases serotonin levels which is a “feel-good” chemical that makes people feel happier. The companionship that comes with pets also helps people feel less lonely. Humans need interaction with something and can’t be isolated to live a happy life and pets can be there for that.

Not only can pets be there for that, but they also allow people to become more social with other humans. Having a pet connects you to a community of other pet-owners. Say you were taking your dog on a walk, you are bound to stop and talk with other dog owners at least once. Also, trips to the vet or the pet store allow you to meet other people with similar interests and help you possibly make new connections. 

Along with taking a pet on a walk, pets make people more physically active. You can’t be lazy when taking care of a pet. Most of them require a certain amount of exercise for a healthy lifestyle. This makes owners more active and decreasing the likelihood of obesity. However, that is not the only way a pet can help a person’s physical health. Pets reduce the chance of heart attacks by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Not only that, but it helps build a kids’ immune system. Kids raised around pets build up the immune system and are less likely to get allergies and asthma and also get fewer colds. 

In conclusion, pets do have a big significance in people’s lives and they come with many benefits. Obviously, people should make sure they have the time and resources available to properly take care of an animal, but getting a pet is a great way to improve health and lifestyle as a whole. A pet can be an amazing companion for people who need it and also a playful partner.