Cute Ways Your Pets Actually Take Care Of You

Reduce Recovery Time

Many healers in ancient times used animals in medical therapy and today, many studies are beginning to reveal why. Pets have an immeasurable benefit for the health of humans. Having pets can help prevent illness by reducing stress, increasing physical activity and strengthening the immune system. Pets can also help reduce one’s recovery time after falling ill. Studies among patients have shown that pets can help improve mood, alleviate pain, boost motivation and willingness to meet recovery goals, as well as quicken wound healing. Having pets at the hospital can also help make the hospital stay more enjoyable in addition to boosting recovery time. Most medical therapy studies have used dogs and cats, but other animals have also been used including horses, birds and fish.

Build Immunity

Most people think that having pets means sacrificing on the cleanliness of one’s home. The result of pet ownership may be excess dirt, hair, drool, and sometimes even fleas. It is likely true that pet owners need to break out the vacuum cleaner more regularly, but the health benefits received by having pets can outweigh this disadvantage. It may seem counterintuitive, but having pets can help build up the immune system. Numerous studies have shown that children who grew up with pets in the home, had stronger immune systems and were less likely to get ill or develop allergies. Children that grew up with pets in the home also had less risk of developing asthma and even mental issues connected to physical illness (for example, allergy sufferers tend to experience lethargy and insomnia, which can then result in depression).