The Positive Mental Health Benefits of Pet Ownership
A pet can help to build a person's self esteem as they have another life to share things with.
A pet can be an amazing source of joy and fun in any household. But beyond this, the right pet can actually support your mental health in a more fundamental way. Let's take a look at a few of the key benefits conferred by a pet.
Companionship and Emotional Support
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of a pet is that it will provide a cure for loneliness. You'll have an extra life to look after, and – in most cases they'll provide you with affection and companionship. In fact, even an animal that doesn't provide companionship, like a goldfish, might still provide emotional support, because you'll get the feeling of importance that comes with caring for another creature.
A sledge-pulling pack animal, like a husky, will require very long walks, meaning you will no doubt get plenty of exercise.
Physical Activity and Mental Health
If you own a dog, then you'll be obliged to take it out every day for a walk. You might even take things up a notch by going for a run with the dog! Physical exercise has a reliable mood-bolstering effect. It will also protect your health more generally in the long term. It's important to match your choice of dog with your physical state. A sledge-pulling pack animal, like a husky, will require very long walks, while something small, like a pug, will not. If you want to push yourself, and bolster your overall fitness, then the latter might be more appropriate!
Building a Routine and Sense of Purpose
When you have an animal in the home, you'll have a few extra tasks to take care of every day. These include taking a dog for a walk, as well as feeding cats and other animals at regular, fixed intervals throughout the day. This can be therapeutic and provide a sense of much-needed purpose, especially for recent retirees who might find themselves feeling slightly adrift.
The feeling of satisfaction you get from seeing your pet thriving can be immensely fulfilling. In some cases, this might mean building an enriching space for the animal to occupy. A cat tree can provide a space for a feline to stay active and content, even when they're restricted to the indoors.
Taking a dog for a walk can confer many new opportunities to spark up a conversation.
Social Interaction and Community Engagement
If you own a dog, or even the right kind of cat, then you're going to find yourself running into and talking to other like minded people. Taking a dog for a walk can confer many new opportunities to spark up a conversation – which, if you're not good at making friends, can be a great antidote to isolation and loneliness.
Becoming a pet parent can truly be one of the most rewarding things in life that help to build a person’s confidence, self esteem and sense of purpose, however it also comes with challenges and important responsibilities therefore it’s important that you think very carefully about your lifestyle and the kind of animal you could genuinely give a home and love to. Once you have taken the time time to consider all of the practicalities and have made the decision to bring an animal into your life you can start your new journey together and start making many amazing memories.
