How A Pet In Your Life Is Good For Your Health

Have you ever thought of having a pet in your life?

Big Dog and Woman sitting side-by-side image Sven Lachmann

Having a companion, a cat, dog or other animals can warm your heart and help you to not feel lonely. There is now scientific evidence that it is good for you to have fur friends. Often they will show more loyalty than humans.

I remember in 1982, when my fiance died I would return home after my day’s work as a tourist guide and would find my house dark, cold and empty. It was a really tough time. The closest neighbor, being 250 meters away, made it feel more lonely still.

Luckily, I would always be greeted by my dear animals. At that time, I had quite a few cats and a couple of dogs. They would come and greet me, and with their help, I would overcome my sorrow.

A great YouTube video explaining how it all happened.

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How wild animals became domesticated

Approximately 40.000 years ago, an important shift in evolution occurred. Animal behaviorists and archaeologists say there was a transition from wild animals to semi-domesticated animals. Sheep and goats became domesticated around 11.000 years ago.

Humans welcomed cats when agriculture started around 7000 B.C. Probably because of having grain harvests that attracted mice. You can understand wild cats would not mind having such an easy food source available. Humans profited from it too to have these able hunters keeping the mice at bay.

Dogs would help with hunting and serve as watchdogs warning of coming danger. In Germany, there is a burial site in Bonn-Oberkassel where it was discovered that humans and dogs were buried together 14.000 years ago. They probably were domesticated  gray wolves. Finding a lonely cub might have been the first connection, to then over time, evolve into a distinct species.

Over thousands of years, the bond between humans and animals became stronger. This working relationship was not the only benefit each side had, but a friendship was cultivated. When you ask a dog or cat owner if they would want to miss out on this friendship, they will all tell you no.

My best Friend image StockSnap

Many touching stories from all over the world

You will probably have heard about this Akito dog with the name Hachiko. He became the loyal pet in 1924 of professor Ueno and would wait at the train station for his human to come back from work. The professor worked at Tokyo Imperial University.

On May 21 of 1925, the professor suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and did not come home. Until 8 March 1935, his faithful dog Hachiko would go every day to the station and wait for the professor.

Some famous cats

The following website will delight all cat lovers. Cats in History. There are many stories about our feline friends.

I lived in Torremolinos and met Rabbe, a Finnish sculpturer. In his garden, which was next to the famous tower of Torremolinos, he had some amazing looking cats that also lived there. They were a crossbred between Siamese and normal street cat. You should have seen their tails, some had tails like a corkscrew.

A YouTube video explaining the health benefits of having a pet.

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Health benefits of having a pet

They have scientifically proven that having a pet is good for your health. It has a positive influence on your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels. As your dog takes you on regular walks, it is good for both of you. Getting out of the house for some fresh air and sunshine is beneficial.

Are you often sick? Then it might be time to get a pet. It will strengthen your immune system, which is quite amazing. Pets expose us to new germs and we learn how to fight that and strengthen our immune system.

Cats and dogs will save you from depression as they make you live a routine. You cannot let yourself go. Those enormous eyes demanding food, care and attention will keep you busy so no time for getting depressed.

Your children should grow up in the company of pets. They will develop empathy and learn to care for living beings. Often children with pets develop an understanding which grown-ups might lack.

Gentlemen, it is a good idea to have a pet. Why? A poll has shown that 82% of women are more attracted to men with pets. Probably the thought is, if he is nice to his pet he is a wonderful human. They have proven that walking a dog in the park makes you rather successful, 3 times more likely she will give you her telephone number.

I am sure science will discover more reasons in the future why it is good to have a pet. It is known already that you will be less prone to allergies. You might live a little longer. Get a better night’s sleep and you have less stress which makes you happier.

Lovely Ginger Cat image Eugin Akyurt

Your responsibility towards your pet

Having a pet you will probably soon realize you have an enormous responsibility towards this loving soul. I use the word love because in my life I have experienced the love given to me by many pets. Some of them only stayed for a short while, and others shared my life for many years.

The relationship between pets and humans has grown over many thousands of years. In those past times, our animals would eat hunted food. Bones, skin, organs, all included. They were carnivores, and this fresh meat was good for their gut. It would keep their microbiome healthy.

They would not eat grains, so one wonders why there is so much grain in pet food. Very simple, it is cheap. I would compare it to fast food for humans. Easy to get, quite tasty, and bad for your and their health.

In the old times, I would have a big group of cats and some dogs living on my farm. I used to go to a small butcher shop in the village and would buy a big bag of leftovers. I would cook this with different vegetables and some rice. They would all love their breakfast. Now I only have 3 cats and I do not cook anymore.

They get a breakfast of some dry food but during the night they are on the move experiencing happy hunting hours. Sometimes you might be surprised by a present. A mouse or lizard, hopefully not wiggling anymore.

Some years ago they surprised me with an enormous gift in front of the patio door. A beautiful big wild duck. I do not know who gave me that present, and I felt sorry for the duck, but a present is a present. I buried the duck in the garden.

Small Girl with Cat image Ludmila Kot

Conclusion

When a pet starts forming part of your family, you are responsible for its well-being. A yearly checkup with the vet and injection according to its passport. If you go on a trip or holiday and your pet cannot come along, try to get a pet sitter. Some animals are not happy to spend time in a kennel but then I also know of pets who consider it a holiday.

In case your animals cannot roam freely outside, one should make life interesting. You have to come up with a training program where their intelligence is asked for, while in the meantime some movement is involved. Your pet will be happy and tired.

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Before you leave, you might like to visit Recommendations. It is a special page I have made for you with a collection of things I hope you find interesting.

Source: Well.org

Photo Source: Pixabay

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