PET CARE
5 Reasons Owning a Pet is Good for Your Health
If you have ever shared your home with a furry friend, you already know the many joys an animal companion brings to your everyday life.
Having a pet means always having a companion who’s happy to see you when you return home - regardless of whether or not you folded the laundry or emptied the dishwasher! You have a nonjudgmental, listening ear, a snuggle buddy, and a loyal companion who loves you unconditionally.
But did you know that there is compelling research to suggest that owning a pet is good for your physical and mental health?
1. Pets help Alleviate Stress
Having a dog or cat helps prevent loneliness and provides a calming effect.
This is why pets, particularly dogs, make such good therapy animals and companions for people who suffer from anxiety-related disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
2. Pet Owners May Have Healthier Hearts
If you own a dog, you may be less likely to develop heart disease. This may be in part because dog owners walk more than people who do not own dogs. This helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and keep weight down.
People who get an average of 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day strengthen their hearts, causing them to work more effectively.
So, why not open your heart to a pet?
3. Pets Can Help with Depression
Caring for a pet offers someone something outside oneself to focus on, contributing to a positive sense of self-worth. Spending time with a pet also causes the body to release serotonin, a chemical that contributes to well-being and happiness.
4. Pets offer positive Social Support for Children with Autism and ADHD
Past studies have focused on how relationships with animals might influence the development of children with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other disorders.
5. Pets keep People Connected
One key to mental health is being connected to others. Having pets creates social connections.
People with pets tend to talk to other pet-people such as other pet parents, people who like animals, people who work with animals, etc.
If you are walking a dog, people have a natural reason to talk to you. A dog is a conversation starter. People who are walking dogs are also more likely to stop and talk to others who are walking dogs.
Pets do so many amazing things for humans.
They improve our physical and mental well-being without even trying. They make our homes and hearts warmer.
We can help them, too, by adopting or fostering a pet in need of a loving home or volunteering at a local animal shelter.
Consider Investing in Pet Insurance
Looking for more ways to keep your pets happy and healthy? Consider investing in a pet insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1 Get your free quote today.
Protect your Pets
1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.
2 Provided all terms of the policy are met. Application is subject to underwriting review and approval. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies issued by IAIC and MetGen contain certain deductibles, co-insurance, exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. For costs, complete details of coverage and exclusions, and a listing of approved states, please contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC.