Paws and Take Notice
Odds
are, you have a pet – most households in the United States have at least one.
Why have a pet? There are many reasons, but more and more people are
discovering the health benefits of furry, finned, or feathered friends.
Pets can decrease
your:
· Blood pressure
· Cholesterol levels
· Triglyceride levels
· Feelings of loneliness
Pets can increase
your:
· Opportunities for exercise and outdoor
activities
· Opportunities for socialization
You told us
We
asked how pets make your life better - Here's
what you told us
Pets
are more common in households with children – pets actually outnumber children
in American households. There are more than 51 million dogs, 56 million cats,
45 million birds, 75 million small mammals and reptiles, and uncounted millions
of aquarium fish. In an American Animal Hospital Association survey in 2002, 92
percent of respondents said they derive health benefits from their pets.
Benefits of the bond
Many
studies have shown that while we take care of our pets, our pets take care of
us.
·
Pets
can lower blood pressure.
A State University of New York at Buffalo study found that people with
hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure in stressful
situations than those who didn't own a pet.
·
Pets
help prevent heart disease.
Because pets provide companionship, research shows they may provide their
owners with greater psychological stability – a measure of protection from
heart disease.
·
Pets
help lower healthcare costs. Believe it or not, people with pets actually make fewer doctor
visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions.
·
Pets
can reduce stress. Walking a pet can
soothe nerves and help you relax. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that
the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males,
than on those who do not own a pet.
·
Pets
help fight depression.
Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. The
bonding behavior can foster a sense of security.
Bottom line: There's ample evidence that pets make our lives better.
http://www.humana.com/members/health/plan_professor/2_09_paws.asp
Sources