Cute Ways Your Pets Actually Take Care Of You

Reduce Your Stress Level

Stress is linked to the major leading causes of death including cancer, heart disease, accidents, lung issues, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. Statistics show that most patients visit the doctor for stress-related illnesses and issues. The great news is that your pet can have a positive impact on your health by reducing your stress level. The hormone oxytocin is released when you spend time cuddling your pet. Petting or snuggling with your cat or dog brings comfort to both you and your pet. The release of oxytocin in your brain is connected to anxiety reduction and stress-relief, which causes blood pressure and cortisol levels to drop. Try focusing on the texture of your pet’s fur, the deep breaths they are taking and the snuggles they give.

Potentially Save Your Life

Cancer is the worldwide leading cause of death. Identifying malignant tumors at early stages is vital for preserving life. Trained dogs have an ability to sniff out cancer. Studies have shown that trained dogs can identify melanoma, lung, prostate, ovarian, breast, bladder, and other types of cancer. The actress Shannon Doherty revealed that her dog had detected her breast cancer before she was told by her doctors that she had it. For patients going through cancer treatment, enjoyable interactions with pets meant less depression and increased psychological and physical well-being. For children with cancer, interacting positively with pets encouraged them to feel more optimistic, happy and even be more open to participating in their treatments. Interestingly, pets have even been associated with reducing the risks for certain types of cancer.