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How does your pet improve your health?

By September 30, 2008 - 10:21am
 
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There is plenty of research about how animals and pets affect our lives and our health. One CDC study says that having a pet can have positive effects on your blood pressure, your cholesterol and your triglyceride levels, can reduce feelings of loneliness, and can increase your reasons to exercise or socialize.

Here's an about.com article on how pets reduce stress:
http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm

And here's a great piece on WebMD on Five Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health:
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-be...

I have three collies and two cats (so I should be in perfect health, LOL!) and every time I see or hear about another "discovery" that pets enhance our lives, I almost want to laugh because it seems like such a no-brainer. Coming in the door and seeing a wildly wagging tail can wipe out the stress of a bad day. When I dig my hands into my collies' fur to pet them, I can almost feel my heart rate slow. And a happy, purring cat on your lap increases feelings of contentedness as well as making you think twice about disturbing her just to get up to get a snack!

Do you have a pet? What kind? How does she or he affect your day? What makes the expense and the hair on the furniture worth it for you? And would you be as healthy and happy without them?

Add a Comment1 Comments

On one hand, my daughter's cat can bring a smile to my face and there's something calming about having him curled up at my feet. On the other hand, I'm allergic to his fur and dander and my face itches if he gets particularly close.

On one hand, my son's rather large dog is entertaining and can be cute, in his own way, plus he makes me feel safer when I'm home alone. On the other hand, he's so big that I've tripped over him in the dark and cracked bones, plus he sheds so much that I'm constantly congested and sweeping up dog bunnies.

I love animals and have had furry pets, in spite of my allergies. My DH says animals gravitate toward me, too - the furry types, that is. Admittedly, though, I feel no guilt in disturbing the cat...he's already "disturbed," LOL!

September 30, 2008 - 6:46pm
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