Furry Companion: The Benefit of Having a Pet for Your Mental Health

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Whether it’s a cat, dog, or other amazing animals, a furry companion may be just what you need for your mental health. Furry family members can provide the love, listening ear, and companionship that so many of us dealing with forms of mental health need.

As we’re starting to understand, many people dealing with depression can feel a sense of loneliness often. And sometimes reaching out to another person can prove to be difficult for most.

However, a pet can change all that for someone dealing with not only depression but many other forms of mental health. I have two cats and I find myself talking to them more when I’m feeling down or lonely than the people around me.

Pets can become that calming factor that you just may need in your life.

Furry companions and your mental health

For some people, animals are nothing more than food. But for others, animals can be a healing form of energy. A pet in the home becomes another living being to take care of but also a companion for many. And if you’re like me, you think of your pet as a family member.

They are the good listener that you need. The cuddle buddy for those lonely days. And the mood changer on those rough days. It has been proven time and time again that having a pet has made big impacts on its owners by:

I’ve had pets all my life and something I’ve loved about my bonds with my pets is that they were very beneficial during my hardest times. Whether it was coming into my room to lay down with me or begging to have some playtime, my cats have always been a mood changer for me during my depression.

Pets tend to warm our hearts. And the biggest benefit from that is it softens your mood, making you less preoccupied with the negative thoughts that may be consuming your days. In a way, pets allow you to let your guard down so that you can experience what life around you have to offer.

Some benefits that having a pet may offer are:

• Their energy can rub off on you, making you more active (ex. Exercise)
• Help you become more social (a dog is a real attention grabber)
• Develop more structure for their owner
• Boost your livelihood
• Helps build your self-esteem within yourself, especially for children
• Gives you a positive feeling of being needed that you may feel is not there

The impact having a pet has on your mental health

The impact that a pet has on your mental health is stronger than you may think. We often think that older people can benefit from having a pet but there is no age limit when it comes to this. There are many benefits to owning a pet.

According to the CDC, studies have shown that the bond you have with a pet can lower stress, increase fitness and the mood of the owner. And all of these can help to maintain a healthier mental health. It has been proven time and time again that having a pet has made big impacts on its owners by:

• Lowering depression and social isolation levels
• Decreases mood of feeling lonely
• Elevated serotonin and dopamine levels
• Lifted the levels of life satisfaction

And many more. Pets can bring life to their owner, encouraging them to step out of their depressive moods. Their bond with you can impact you in a physical way as well such as:

• Increase your levels of endorphins by being more active
• Decrease blood pressure
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Decrease cholesterol levels

And as we all know, a healthy physical being can contribute to a healthy mental mind.

The impact can be felt, the stronger the bond. And while it may be seen by someone as an enabler for the owner because they rely on that bond, it’s a positive enabler. Knowing that you have someone to come home to that is waiting for you is a great feeling.

Picking a furry companion that’s right for you

When it comes to picking a pet for yourself, a lot of the time it’s not as easy as going to a pet shop and buying the first animal you see. Picking the right pet for yourself takes planning and research.

Here are three tips to take into consideration when it comes to having a pet in your life.

1. Do your homework before getting a new pet

There are many different breeds of cats and dogs. And each one has a set of information that could overwhelm a person if they don’t know what they’re dealing with. Once you’ve found a breed that you like, do a little research on what it takes to take care of them.

There are a ton of books, websites, and more that can help guide you into picking the right breed that works for you. Also, asking a neighbor or friend who owns the breed you want can be helpful.

Of course, you don’t have to study and quiz yourself on every bit of information. But by knowing the basics, you can understand the temperament of your new furry member. And this can go a long way towards finding the right pet for you.

2. Visit a shelter and look around

While pet shops may be tempting for an easy purchase, there are many furry companions in shelters who are looking for their forever home. Visiting a shelter and looking around is a great way to find the connection you’re looking for.

Plan a trip to your local shelter and take some time looking around at the dogs and cats that are there. And ask questions while you’re there about some of the animals there. it never hurts to have as much information as possible.

What’s good about shelter pets is that many of them have been trained to be around humans. If the shelter is a good and caring one, they make sure that these animals are ready for a new home.

Also, be sure to research the shelter beforehand. There are many out there who have a bad reputation for being more about the money and less about the pets in their care. And in the end, sometimes the adoption can turn into a nightmare for the new pet owner.

So please do your research.

3. Become familiar with your new furry companion

Once you’ve found your furry companion, it’s now time for you two to become familiar. Allow your pet to become familiar with you and their new home. I remember when I brought my rescue cat home, all he wanted to do was explore.

Spend some time playing and showing some love towards your pet during these times too. Give them their own space designated for them. Buy some personal items such as toys, treats, grooming items, and more to show them that they have a place within their new home.

But never try to force the relationship. Allow them to find comfort within you. Also, allow yourself to find comfort within them. Remember that you both now share a space together.   

The relationship you build with your pet

As we all know, pets look to us for love and companionship the same way we look to them. This is why it’s important for both of you to build a trusting relationship. In order for you to benefit mentally from their liveliness, a bond should be present.

Pets are not for everyone. This is why investing time into getting one if you’re not an animal lover, can possibly be damaging to your mental state while affecting theirs as well when you have to return them. But even those who are not animal lovers may find themselves changing their minds once they make that connection.

Having a healthy relationship with your pet can give them the trust they need within you. And in return, they’ll invest the time, in their own little way, into you the way you may need. It’s that unconditional love that they provide to you that helps bring on a positive space for you.

And having that bond can be a game-changer for managing your mental health. You’ll start to see a change in the way you approach your anxiety. The way you approach feeling lonely. The way you manage your thoughts. And the outcomes of your day can change as well just by seeing that little furry face.

Conclusion

Having a pet is so beneficial to your mental health. They bring a special bond that can’t be matched by anyone. There are so many contributing factors that can assist with mental health. And I find this one to be a big positive for anyone who is dealing with difficult times mentally.

So, do you have a special furry friend? How do they help lighten your mood? Do you consider your pet a pet, or family member? Feel free to share your comments down below. Like and share for others to see. And don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter for updates, features, and more.

Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive. And NOTHING’s impossible!