Dogs may be considered man’s best friend, but they aren’t the only creatures that hold a special place in our hearts. According to historians and archaeologists, the first domesticated animal was a dog. The history of domestication is intricate, and various animals had various functions. Pet ownership has a long history. Why are pets significant to people? Five reasons follow:
- Pets aid individuals in coping with loneliness:
Pets provide company. Those who live alone will greatly benefit from this. Pet ownership increased by 17% among single people over a six-year period, but only by 1.37% among families. The percentage of unmarried men who live alone and own pets increased by 27.7%. These figures imply that dogs can lessen the loneliness that frequently comes with being single.
- Pets lessen life’s stress:
Stress is reduced just by caring for an animal. Oxytocin is released by both your body and the fur or hair of your pet as you stroke it. The “love hormone” is a hormone with a connection to emotional attachment. Also, playing with a pet increases your dopamine and serotonin levels. According to studies, owning a pet can be beneficial at trying times. According to one study, people who own pets experience lower blood pressure during stressful situations than those who do not.
- People connect over their pets:
Pet owners naturally gravitate toward one another. According to studies, having a dog makes meeting new people simpler. During social gatherings like dog parks, people can discuss their pets and get to know one another better. This hypothesis was examined by Dr. June McNicholas, a senior research fellow at the University of Warwick’s Department of Psychology. While going about her daily business, she spent five days with a dog and five days without. She kept track of how many friends, acquaintances, and total strangers stopped to chat with her. People interacted with her more on the days when she had the puppy.
- Pets can lengthen lives:
Does having a pet extend your life? In a study of patients who had just been discharged from a coronary care unit, those with dogs at home had a higher survival rate over the course of the next year. People live longer for a variety of reasons, one of which is undoubtedly the health advantages of pet ownership, such as decreased stress and improved mental health.
- Pet owners tend to be in better physical condition:
As dogs need to be walked, this benefit largely applies to dog owners. In order to increase their exercise, many people buy dogs. Because they are so anxious to be active, dogs make excellent motivators. Researchers at Michigan State University found that dog owners are 34% more likely than non-dog owners to log 150 minutes of weekly walking.
In the end, be truthful with yourself about the lifestyle you prefer and also the kind of pet you’d like to take care of while making your decision. Start small, get a fish or a smaller, caged animal if you’re unsure about caring for a larger animal. Check to see whether it fits, then proceed.
Writer:
Risalat Rahman Hridoy
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE