Buying a Pet for Christmas

By MC Kelby HERWriter

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According to the National Pet Owners Survey, 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet and Christmas time is a popular time to purchase a new family member.

If you are considering buying a pet this Christmas, here are some surprising health benefits of owning a pet:

• Pets help to lower blood pressure.
A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet.

• Pets help to reduce stress.
Walking with a pet helps to soothe nerves and offers instant relaxation. 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. Also, petting pets has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rates in adults. Even being in the same room with pets, including fish in tanks, can lower blood pressure and reduce stress in adults and children.

• Pets help to prevent heart disease because pets provide faithful companionship.
Research shows pets provide their owners with greater psychological stability, and thus a measure of protection from heart disease.

• Pets are good for your heart.
A University of Minnesota study found owning a cat could slash the risk of heart attacks and strokes by up to 40 percent. Also, dog and cat owners are significantly more likely to survive heart attacks than non-pet owners, regardless of the severity of the heart attacks.

• Pets help to lower health care costs.
People who own pets traditionally make fewer trips to the doctor than those who don't. As a result, pets help keep the cost of health care down for individuals as well as our nation.

• Pets help to fight depression.
Pets help fight depression and loneliness. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security.

• Pets may prevent allergies.
Pets can help prevent eczema and some allergies in children. Children who live with dogs have lower rates of childhood eczema and children raised with cats or dogs from their first year of life are less likely to develop pet allergies.

• Pets keep you healthy.
Pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than people who don't have pets.

• Pets keep you fit.
Regardless of age, people who have pets, especially dogs, get more exercise than non-pet owners. While this isn't surprising for dog owners, owners of other kinds of pets are also more likely to be physically active than people who don't have pets.

Here is a checklist to review before you purchase a pet for the holidays. Remember, owning a pet is 24/7 responsibility and will require in some cases a 20-year commitment:

• Have you done your homework on which breed is best for you and your family?

• What are ownership costs? (A crate, food, collar, leash, toys, bowls, microchip, pet care during vacations, medical care for unforeseen illness, etc.)

• What about the cost of pet-proofing your home and training?

• Have you thought about how big the puppy will get full grown?

• Have you evaluated the responsibility and commitment?

• What are the pros and cons of a puppy vs. an adult dog?

• Where should we purchase our pet? Breeder or shelter?

• Did you research puppy care and training in advance? (Cost of a class or a private consultation with an experienced trainer)

There are many positive benefits to owning a pet. Raising a pet will teach children responsibility, give a child more self esteem and teach them about unconditional love.

However, if you have any doubts about buying a pet, you may want to consider your purchase for after the holidays. Some animal shelters report a 15 percent increase in pet abandonment after the holidays.

Sources:

http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/life/article_447a8f2e-e171-56c5-b2b3-cf91a4dc2e64.html

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/see-spot-blog/2010/12/pitfalls-of-buying-a-holiday-puppy.html#ixzz18Zzp16ya

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/217229/How-the-family-pet-could-save-your-life

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/adopting-a-pet-during-the-holidays/1203336/Dec-16-2010_3-15-pm

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1035707181/Animal-activists-warn-against-giving-pets-as-holiday-gifts

http://www.kjonline.com/reallife/hold-off-on-buying-a-family-pet-until-after-the-holidays_2010-12-11.html

http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/headlines/Experts_offer_advice_on_getting_new_pet_for_Christmas_111705659.html

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Anonymous

Even better - ADOPT a pet from a local shelter or rescue group. Thousands of loveable dogs and cats (and other pets) are euthanized daily simply because they are homeless. When you adopt a pet from a shelter/rescue you're actually saving 2 lives - the one you're taking home, and the one those groups can take in now that they have room. Many purebreds are available, too.

December 20, 2010 - 9:50am

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.