Who doesn't feel loved and cherished by an animal displaying love and affection? Here are 5 reasons why having a pet is good for your mental health.
With lockdown still in full force, many people are looking into getting a furry companion. Here are some reasons why animals are good for your mental health but also why sometimes, adopting a pet might not be the best solution for you.
5 reasons why having a pet is good for your mental health
Motivation Let's face it: With a dog, you have to get out of the house. Depending on the breed and your dog's character, you are easily looking at at least 1 hour of exercise every day. Not only do dogs force you to leave the house, they are also the best motivation to actually get up in the morning. The food bowl won't fill itself, after all.
Socialising Your social contacts might be suffering at the moment, with all the measurements. With a dog however, you will run into other people. Think doggy park or just seeing people that have the same walk route as you do. More often than not, you will strike up a conversation with the other owner(s), which helps to feel connected and less socially withdrawn.
Security Pets help you feel less alone. No matter whether it's your dog, your cat, rabbit or mouse, pets share the day with you. This in turn makes you feel less alone and brings in stability.
General Health Pets are not only good for your mental health, but also for your general wellbeing. Research shows that having pets is good for your cardiovascular health, it lowers your heart rate and blood pressure and is great against stress.
Happiness I know it's quite bold to put out there. But pet owners are happier than their pet-less counterparts. Pets help you to calm down, they reduce your stress levels, they make you feel loved and wanted.
Things to consider before getting a pet
Excited to get a pet after reading this? Before you do, please sit down and consider the following questions to find out which animal is best suitable for you and your lifestyle:
Where do you live: In a city, rural, house, flat, house-sharing? The smaller the space, the smaller the animal should be. You wouldn't want a Great Dane to be enclosed in a 20m² studio apartment, would you?
Lifestyle: What are your work hours, do you need to travel a lot professionally? Are you able to give your pet the attention it needs?
Cleanliness: Don't laugh. If you have a light colour scheme at home or if you want everything to be neat and clean all the time, reconsider having a furry companion. Shedding is a thing and it can drive you insane (believe me, I own a dog and a cat. Nothing like the feeling of utter defeat after you've cleaned the house for hours only for a pet to come along and drop a couple of hairs. Again.) Living partners: Who do you live with? Alone? Do you have children? Roommates? A partner? How do they feel about having and caring for a pet? Is it really the best time to bring a puppy home if you have a baby or toddler you need to take care of?
There are a million other things to consider before getting a pet. A pet is a sentient being, if you are not able to give the love, attention and care it needs, please do not get it. As much love and joy and happiness animals bring, it's also a lot of responsibility and money (think of all the vet costs, what about emergencies etc).
When NOT to get a pet
I love animals. I believe the world is a better place because of them. However, there are so many animals being abused and neglected. People believe that bringing an animal into their home will magically make everything better and the animal will adapt to any situation thrown at them. Some animals will, yes. Most of them won't.
I've moved my pets internationally. My cat used to be a stray cat before he found his way to me. He used to be an outside cat, then we moved and we ended up in a flat. Suddenly, outside cat was an inside cat. He adapted wonderfully. I never had an issue with him. I was lucky. There are quite some cats that go absolutely ballistic if they're confined to a closed space. Have a Plan B ready in case you're moving. My Plan B was re-homing him so he could have the happy cat life he deserves, even though it would have been heartbreaking for me.
That said, there are a couple of reasons to not get a pet:
Time: Pets are time consuming. They are solely dependent on you, as their owner. They need walks (dogs), need to be fed, looked after and have their habitat cleaned.
Money: As mentioned above, pets can be quite expensive. Apart from their yearly check-up and vaccinations, think about spaying and neutering, dental care and emergencies. Most vets will offer a payment plan, but if you can't afford the basic care (toys, food, cleaning utensils, general vet costs), re-think whether you are in the right place to own a pet. Also think about any potential damage to your living quarters: Chewing, scratching, pet odour, urine and poop. There are at least 2 carpets I had to throw away because my dog had diarrhea all over it and my cat thought it was fun to mark his territory.
Allergies: This should go without saying. If you know you are allergic, don't get that specific pet. Generally, you would know whether you're allergic to cats and dogs, but what about rabbits or Guinea pigs? Might be handy to do a check-up before you claim ownership.
Freedom: Like to party all night long? Love weekends away? Spontaneous roadtrips? Basically, scratch the word 'spontaneous' from your vocabulary if you own a pet. Everything will need to be planned in advance (boarding kennels or organising a sitter).
Conclusion
Having a pet has many benefits, pets will enrich your life and can help you with so many things. Gone are the days of loneliness, of avoiding social interactions. Pet ownership shouldn't be entered lightly, though.
Think long and hard whether you really are in the right place (mentally and physically) to take care of an animal.
Do your research which animal might be the best fit for you and don't forget: adopt, don't shop.
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