When you have pets, you take care of them. But do pets take care of you and boost your health?

Heavy petting can actually be good for you! A pet is a companion we all know, but do pets have any other effect on their owners? Having a pet can be therapeutic: it is known to lower stress levels and high blood pressure, it improves heart health, reduces feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression and improves brain activity!


Having a pet also means having to take him out for regular exercise if it is a dog. This in itself is an effortless cardio-vascular exercise which can help lower hypertension, triglyceride levels, weight and even cholesterol. So if you feel fit, you have to thank your pet for it!


Taking good care of your pet can increase the sense of responsibility in most people including children. You also need to remember to feed, walk or care for the pet at the appropriate timings, and this definitely increases brain activity as well as memory. Caring for your pet also provides a sense of fulfilment and purpose.


Owning a pet can make you more social. Dog owners naturally bond with other dog owners, and pets become an easy topic of conversation to break the ice. The emotional bond between your pet and you can be a strong one and has psychological benefits, similar to emotional bonds with human beings.

It’s important that you pick a pet that fits into your lifestyle, rather than the other way round. Before you get a pet, think of what it will entail in terms of time, effort and commitment. Some people get a pet to combat loneliness, some want protection, others want a companion for their kids while animal lovers really need no reason to get one…