The Benefits of Owning a Pet: 57% of US Households Have One! - Essay Sample

Introduction

Owning a pet can have a lot of benefits for a person as they offer companionship. Pets also provide some hidden advantages besides being a good friend to an individual. In the United States, 57% of households have at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (HealthStatus Team 2). It is considered as great news as owning a pet can help improve the health of a person. This paper will discuss some of the reasons for and benefits of owning a pet.

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One of the benefits of having a pet is that it helps improve an individual's health as it helps them reach their health goals. A pet makes one active, ensuring they keep up with daily exercise, whether it involves having a walk with your dog or scrubbing away pet stains. Another reason why one should own a pet is that they help in forming relationships as they always give people something to talk about, which is one of the most overlooked benefits of owning a pet. Having a pet allows one to forge connections with other people who love animals. Through such relationships, people can exchange ideas on the best training techniques and the best food for the pet. Another benefit of owning a pet is that they assist in fighting allergies. Studies have shown that people who interact with dogs, cats, and other animals form a strong immune system (Hayden-Evans 157). Many people would disagree with these findings as they often break out into uncontrollable sneezing when with dogs. However, being exposed to animal allergens for a long time will improve the immunity of adults, making them resistant to other forms of irritants.

Another reason one should own a pet is to increase the strength of the heart and bones. Pets can help lower one’s blood pressure, reduce the possibility of a heart attack, and increase the recovery speed from a heart condition. One can also be exposed to vitamin D from the sun when walking their dog or cat in the park, which helps strengthen their bone. Another benefit of having a pet is that they improve the mood of an individual. The attention and affection provided by pets affect the mood of a person positively, making what seemed impossible achievable after having a bad experience.

Pets are suitable for all ages, which makes them a good companion. Children who have pets have a reduced risk of developing skin disorders and breathing conditions such as eczema and asthma. The reaction is similar to how pets help make one resistant to allergens. Pets also reduce loneliness for the old as they are good friends. The warm presence of pets has also been known to reduce anxiety attacks for people having Alzheimer's. Another advantage of having a pet is that they form an excellent team for medical support groups in the form of Animal Assisted Therapy which improve the mood of patients which helps in their recovery.

Conclusion

One of the most undermined benefits of having a pet is that they provide unconditional love and friendship. One feels relaxed after everyday work and getting home to be greeted by your pet. Pets give one a sense of purpose as they are a responsibility that cannot get ignored. They improve self-esteem and self-worth as they always depend on you to take care of them. Pets are great to talk to even though they don't speak, reducing loneliness.

Works Cited

Hayden-Evans, Maya, Ben Milbourn, and Julie Netto. "'Pets provide meaning and purpose': a qualitative study of pet ownership from the perspectives of people diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder." Advances in Mental Health 16.2 (2018): 152-162.

HealthStatus Team. "Healthy reasons to own a pet - pet ownership." Healthstatus, 2018, https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/wellness/healthy-reasons-to-own-a-pet/.