Owning a pet is like having a companion in your loneliness and depression. Many studies have shown a positive bond between pets and their owners. Many pets help their owner by lowering their stress, increasing fitness, and bringing happiness. Owning a pet is adventurous, which comes with their responsibilities.
If you are interested in having a pet or have already adopted or bought one, this article hopefully can help in your journey of becoming a responsible owner, creating a bond with your new or existing pet if you have one already.
BENEFITS OF OWNING A PET:
Having a pet gives us many opportunities of having various benefits such as;
Mental And Emotional Support:
Although pets do not speak our language, they are aware of our mental and emotional state. For example, dogs can understand some words humans use. They gauge human emotions through the person’s tone of voice, gestures, and body language. They interpret your emotional state and try to comfort you as best as they can. They prove to be loyal and good friends, one of the many reasons dogs are more likable and commonly used as pets.
Pets fulfill the basic human need for touch. Petting, stroking, hugging, or being affectionate towards pets have therapeutic effects on people. Cats and dogs can reduce feelings of loneliness, soothe anxiety, depression, stress, motivate you to exercise, and even improve your cardiovascular health.
Sense Of Security & Companionship:
What can be better than, coming home after a tiring day to have a cuddle with your snuggle buddy, or when feeling lazy, they urge you to go out and have a walk with them as your walking buddy?
Most importantly, owning a pet gives the feeling of joy and love that is unconditional. A pet can provide comfort as a valuable companion in your life, help you build self-confidence not just for adults but for children as well, they help children in growing up more active and secure.
Pets are great listeners who can help you feel wanted. They can be healing for older people or those who are alone. Pets tend to live in the moment without caring about their past or future. They teach us to do the same and appreciate the joy in our present. Most likely the best feeling to have.
Maintaining Fitness & Health:
Having a pet around you can be a fun way to add exercise into your daily routine, resulting in increased physical activity. People with pets often benefit from having better health than those without pets, like dog owners who take their pets for a walk daily. It does not necessarily have to be a dog, a cat, or any other pet. For example, a rabbit is ideal if you have a small space but still want a furry companion for cuddling or are allergic to any other animals. Also, birds are a great way to increase social interaction which helps sharpen an older human mind. Surprisingly, watching a fish in an aquarium after a tiring day can lower heart rate & reduce muscle tension.
Humans with pets tend to have lower blood pressure. According to studies having a dog helps lower blood pressure for people with borderline hypertension within five months. Having a pet results in lower cholesterol levels, lowering triglyceride in comparison with people without pets. Owning a dog is similar to having a personal trainer for your physical health. Pets help their owner stay in shape & healthy by feeding them, taking walks with them, and performing other pet responsibilities.
It may sound absurd to say that pets help fight off allergies; it can be, as with time exposure to animal dander for a certain period can combat other animal allergens. Having an animal around may help in building/developing a better immune system for children and adults.
Mood Boosters/Happy Pills:
Playtime with your pet can result in increased levels of serotonin and dopamine in the human body which make us more calm and relaxed. Spending time with your pet can be a mood booster as it triggers a level of oxytocin known as the love hormone, makes the person feel closer with a pet, and creates a lifelong bond.
The healthy way of managing stress levels of the human body is touch and movement, it can greatly be fulfilled by a pet. Petting an animal can lower blood pressure, stimulate a person to exercise more often. According to studies, having a pet for attention and affection helps in boosting your mood.
Extending Social Circle:
Pets can provide a sense of assurance and calm to their owners who feel overwhelmed around people as they unconditionally give a kind of relationship which makes their owner build social skills. Pets are a great way to meet new people and create friendships as they probably may have mutual affection towards animals.
Most pets naturally are curious about their environment, other humans & animals, and most likely the reason for social interaction between two owners, a person, or a group of people.
CHOOSING A SUITABLE PET:
Before owning a specific pet, you should research and look at things suitable for you and your family. Some of them are as follows;
Choose a pet only if you are ready to take care of another living thing and can accept the various commitments which come with them. Can embrace their impact on you, your family, and the community.
See what type of pet will be suitable for you and your family’s lifestyle. If you can give the specific pet, you choose its required time for feeding, training, health, clean up, etc.
If you or your family member have any health issues/weak immune system or have a child younger than five years old or an elder more than 65 of age or pregnant woman, make sure you choose carefully, as some pets may impact a specific person’s health.
Before adopting, take notice of its diet, exercise, growth, medical, the area where it will live, and caretaker/pet sitter if you are not present.
Make sure you plan, as it is a lifelong responsibility of a living being, or else it can result in unfulfilled expectations. One of the leading reasons why people abandon, give away, or give pets up for adoption. So it is better to invest your time and effort to make decisions accordingly and ensure your pet is happy in future years.
Before thinking about breeding or adoption, you should think of what kind of pet you want. Different types of pets include;
Common animals: Such as dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamsters, etc
Avian pets: Such as parrots, passerines and fowls, etc
Reptile pets: Such as turtles, alligators, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, etc
Aquatic pets: Such as fish, snails, etc
Pocket pets: Can be grouped as small pets
SHELTER ADOPTING:
After selecting what kind of pet you want, you should look into things that will help you decide where to get the pet you want. Although the most commonly picked pets are dogs and cats, you can choose as you prefer. While choosing, look into these things and ask yourself these questions:
If you are financially stable with getting the breeding of your pet or prefer to adopt from a shelter or a reliable place/person?
If you can afford the cost of having your selected pet as some pets and their special needs may require additional cost?
If you can give your pet the time it requires, or you are a busy person to acquire its needs?
If your selected pet is high maintenance or low maintenance?
If you can or not provide the needs and afford the expenses of your pet like food, housing, socialization, exercise, grooming, and veterinary care?
If you can commit to giving the pet its needed attention and care? As some pets like birds can live up to 100 years, make sure to do your research about your particular pet so you can be a great companion for your pet’s life
If you already have a pet, make sure to consult your veterinarian about whether you can have the same or different species and to know if the existing pet will accept the new pet
CARE ESSENTIALS & LIST OF PRODUCTS:
Care;
Make sure to stay healthy around your pet and keep them healthy too.
Whenever you feed, play with your pet or clean them or their belongings, wash your hands before touching anything around you, if you have children around your pet, do not forget to assist them around a pet.
Providing your pet veterinary care regularly and lifelong for your family and the health of the pet. Consult your veterinarian on how to care for the health of your pet.
Good health is key to a happy pet, so make sure to provide your pet with the required freshwater, a good diet, a clean place to rest, and plenty of exercises. Do not forget vaccines, flea and tick control for your pet.
Practice good hygiene for both your family and your pet. Good hygiene helps prevent germs from spreading between pets and people, keeping things used for your pet out of reach of your family. Clean outside of the house when possible.
Pet wastage(poop) is an important matter to consider. It can contain germs and parasites that can be harmful to people. It must be discarded in the right way.
Products;
Pet food(treats)
Interactive pet toys
Medical supplies/Medicine
Pet bedding(for animals)
Cage (for birds/pocket pets)
Daily supplies/utensils
Cleaning supplies
Training supplies
Grooming supplies
Pet accessories
If you have decided on owning a pet, Congratulations; you are entering a door to a new rewarding relationship. Life is going to become happier, more independent, and secure. Pick a pet that suits your needs and lifestyle, as it has a great impact on a person’s life.
If you can’t afford or manage your time for owning a pet full time, there are other ways to obtain the benefits of having pets. Volunteer to walk an acquaintance or maybe your neighbor’s dog. See if you have an animal shelter near you that welcomes volunteers to help care for homeless pets, a great way to help the animal and yourself as well, as it makes them more adoptable.
Ultimately, when choosing a pet, be honest with yourself about what kind of pet you enjoy. If you are not confident in committing to a larger animal, start small like a fish or a bird, etc. Start there and see how it goes from there.
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Article by: Alisha Ali July 24, 2021