It’s not lost on those of us who have pets that we are drawn to animals because they make us feel good and bring joy to our lives. Approximately 12.2 million Canadian households enjoy the benefits of the human-animal bond through cat and dog guardianship. A growing body of scientific evidence tells us that pets improve our wellbeing in physiological, social-developmental and physical ways.
Some health benefits begin in early childhood, where daily exposure of children to dogs and cats in the first year of their lives can protect kids from developing more severe allergy symptoms such as asthma, nasal congestion and eczema. In fact, the more pets a baby lives with, the lower their risk of future allergies!
Both children and adults of all ages enjoy the companionship and love that a pet offers unconditionally. Coming home from a hard day of school or work to a friend eager for physical touch and emotional connection improves our mood and lowers stress levels. Researchers have discovered that dog ownership boosts “happy” brain chemicals such as endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine while lowering the stress chemical, cortisol.
Caring for a pet helps children build emotional intelligence by teaching them daily responsibility and empathy. Pet responsibilities can be tailored to a child’s age and development, from simple tasks like refilling food/water bowls for younger children to regular walks and training exercises for kids aged 10 and up. Growing up with a cat or dog gives children opportunities to learn how to read animal body language and to understand boundaries. Children who can recognize early signs of fear, anxiety and stress in an animal are less likely to be injured from a reactive bite.
Children and adults who are neurodiverse (examples include Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or ADHD) are especially receptive to connecting with a cat or dog. The human-animal bond reduces social anxiety and facilitates feelings of positive and secure attachment. The soothing presence and soft purring of a cat can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression that are so common in neurodiverse people.
Dogs are natural social facilitators by encouraging regular outdoor activity and helping people meet their neighbours. If my dog didn’t need her nightly walk, I would have never bonded with my neighbours over the madness of being out on a cold winter night with rain pelting down on us! Achieving your daily step goals isn’t so daunting with a canine companion at your side. In addition to improved physical fitness, having a pet is good for heart health. Dog guardians tend to have lower blood pressure and lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Pet ownership can help slow cognitive decline and lower the risk of dementia in older adults. Seniors who walk their dogs regularly report greater physical fitness and lower feelings of social isolation and loneliness.
While all these signs point to the benefits of pet ownership, it is important to remember that bringing a four-legged companion in our lives comes with added financial and time commitments. Having a pet should bring joy into our lives and not feel onerous. The power of the human-animal bond can be incredible if we are open to the responsibility.
