By kkhealthcarecentre 
Having a pet can do wonders for your physical and mental health. Picture coming home after a long day at work and being greeted by your adorable furry friend at the door. It’s enough to make you feel instantly loved and happy.
Experts say that the bond you share with a pet can boost your fitness, reduce stress levels, and enhance your overall well-being. In the U.S., about 44% of households have at least one pet, and dogs are the most popular choice.
Here are some ways pets benefit human health:
Pets Help Reduce Stress: Being around your pet can lower stress hormones like cortisol and release the happy hormone oxytocin. Pets can also aid in recovering from PTSD by providing comfort and a sense of survival.
Pets May Lower Blood Pressure: Research from the State University of New York at Buffalo indicates that having pets can help bring blood pressure down.
Pets Keep You Active: Owning a dog often means regular walks. A study showed that dog owners walk about 300 minutes a week compared to 168 minutes for those without dogs.
Pets Can Lower Cholesterol: Walking your dog regularly can help decrease your cholesterol levels. Studies have found that pet owners have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pets Reduce Heart Attack Risks: As fitness levels go up and cholesterol, blood pressure, and stress levels go down, the risk of heart issues lessens, according to the American Heart Association.
Pets May Lower Allergy Risks in Kids: Letting your child play with a pet can reduce their risk of allergies. A study by Clinical and Experimental Allergy suggests that kids who grow up with pets, especially dogs, are less likely to develop allergies. Kids around farm animals might also have stronger immune systems.
Pets Combat Depression: Pet owners often feel better overall and have a positive outlook on life. They are less likely to feel lonely because they have their pet to play with and lean on.
Pets Monitor Health Changes: Dogs can be trained to detect certain illnesses like diabetes, potentially preventing accidents. Some pets have even alerted others when their owner needed help.
Pets Make Family Time Healthy: Pets bring families together, filling gaps and strengthening bonds. They become like family members, sharing meals, walks, and even vacations, which leads to shared conversations and closeness.
Pets Teach Love and Responsibility: Having a pet can teach kindness and responsibility, qualities that contribute to staying healthy. Being kind often results in positive relationships, which benefits mental health.
Pets Boost Self-Esteem: Pets offer unconditional love, not caring about appearances or wealth, which can make you feel good about yourself. Studies have shown that having a pet can improve self-esteem.
Pets Relieve Chronic Pain: It might sound surprising, but pets help you feel relaxed due to the release of endorphins. These hormones can reduce pain, one reason why pets are often found in elder care homes and hospitals.