Having a pet is a rewarding and life-changing experience that many owners all over America cherish. Whether you’re a fan of dogs or cats, the power of a pet is amazing. Here are some of the main ways that sharing your life with a dog, cat or other domestic animal can help you become happy and healthy.
Companionship
Pets are, of course, great companions, and that makes them ideal for those who may be experiencing a little loneliness in their life. Looking after a pet is a way to feel loved and needed: feeding your pet, for example, connects your life with that of another creature, which creates powerful feelings of love and bonding. Even those with roommates or large families can benefit from the power of a pet: if you’re around the house a lot during the day, for example, then having an animal on hand can give you the friendship that you need while everyone else is out.
Exercise
Depending on the type of pet that you go for, enjoying increased exercise is often a wonderful by-product of animal ownership. A dog, of course, is the most obvious choice if you’re looking to boost your exercise levels – but other animals can also keep you active. A hamster, for example, might not go for a walk, but they can keep you on your toes by running around the house if they get out of their cage! A further by-product of increased exercise as a result of pet ownership is the way that your brain responds: by releasing some of the chemicals that our brain associates with happiness, exercise and physical activity can help ward off conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Responsibility
Because it means that another creature depends on you for food, water and survival, pet ownership is a guaranteed route towards better decision-making! If you’re wondering how to be a responsible pet owner, then don’t worry: there are plenty of guides available on the internet that can help you out. Whether it’s working out how often the pet needs exercising, or simply ensuring that they have the right sort of food for their needs, there are lots of ways that you can look out for an animal. Provided you’re conscientious, it’s more than likely that you’ll be a wonderful pet owner!
Pet ownership brings with it a whole host of benefits, and it’s clear that this is a mode of living that has the power to really change your life for the better. From offering you company around the house to helping you become happier and more responsible as a person, pet ownership is a surefire way to living a more rewarding life. You don’t even need to stick to the most well-known pets, either: if you’d prefer to own a smaller pet such as a hamster or a guinea pig, then you can still get all the rewards that pet ownership provides.