Therapeutic Effects of Pet Parenting

With a world filled with passionate pet parents, many will agree that pets make life better. Actually, research also backs this up! Many studies across the years have found links between pet ownership and improved emotional health. But how exactly does owning a pet improve our mental and emotional wellbeing? 

Here are a few therapeutic benefits to pet parenting! 

Gain another source of emotional support 

• Do you see your dog and cat as part of your support system? It turns out, you’re not alone. Research has found that our pets can give as much social and emotional support as our closest family and friends. 

  
  

Stay active  

• If you have a dog with high energy, you’d know that their walks wait for no one. Even on days you want to stay in bed all day, having a pet forces you to get up and be active. Dog owners actually report having regular physical activity patterns, good blood sugar levels, and a healthy diet. 

  
  

Listen to soothing purrs 

• As a cat owner, hearing your cat purr as you pet them might be the best feeling in the world. Fun fact: listening to these purrs might have a therapeutic effect too! According to one study, the sound frequency of a cat’s purr is within the range that’s known to reduce stress responses in humans. 

  
  

Help socialize children 

• For those raising a family, a big consideration when getting a pet is finding one that’s good with kids. Although, great news for parents: having a dog can actually help your kid develop social skills! Even kids as young as two to five years old exhibit better behavior when they live in a household with a dog. 

  
  

Experience unconditional love 

• For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, your pet will be by your side. There’s no feeling more healing for the soul than experiencing the non-judgmental unwavering love a pet can give you. 

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