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Pets can keep you Healthy |
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Written by MyPetFriends
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Saturday, 10 May 2008 |
 Its official – pets are not only adorable, lovable creatures; they have proven positive effects on our health too. The importance of regular contact with domestic animals and the positive effects this can have on your health has been highlighted by recent research conducted by the University of Minnesota.
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After studying nearly 4,500 adults aged between 30 and 75 for 10 years, they found that cat owners had a 40 per cent lower risk of suffering a fatal heart attack. Having a cat around the house can also cut the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke by almost half. Dog owners don’t do too badly either – they have noticeably lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels as well as lowered levels of stress.
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A group that has known this for a while is the Pets As Therapy charity www.petsastherapy.org that takes pet dogs and cats to hospitals, hospices, residential care homes, day centres and special-needs schools. It was formed in 1983, by a group of pet owners who were convinced that their animals could help other people. Their anecdotal evidence also supports the findings of the Minnesota study.
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If after reading this article you have been encouraged to get a cat or a dog – please read Kitty and Teddy’s pet care tips on looking after pets and getting your first pet; speak to other pet owners or chat to staff in your local pet store. Be a responsible pet owner and give this duty full and careful consideration – as Kitty and Teddy remind us “a pet is a life - not a toy or a fashion accessory.”
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