3 Science-Backed Ways Pets Make Stress Vanish

Benefits Of Having A Pet:

If you have a four-legged family member in your life, chances are you already know how much a pet increases your happiness. You just can’t compare the unconditional love you get from your fur baby! They’re our best friends, our happiest playmates, and our sweetest snuggle-buddies.

Best of all? Our fur babies can help us find some stress relief — and now it’s backed by scientific studies.

Here are 3 ways our pets can reduce stress and improve our overall mental health.

Less Stress Hormones

All pet parents know that hugging pets just feels good. There’s nothing like coming home after a stressful day at work to puppy snuggles — and nothing sweeter than waking up in the morning to a purring kitten on your chest!

Turns out, science backs our pet parent hunches. A good cuddle with your fur baby can literally lower stress hormones in your body.

One study involved 249 students split into four groups. One group was allowed to pet and play with cats and dogs as they pleased for 10 minutes, while the other groups waited or watched. At the end of the study, the students who interacted directly with the pets showed significantly lower levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone) than the other students.

So, if you’re feeling a little stressed, hug your four-legged family member! Ten minutes of puppy love, and you’ll find immediate stress relief.

And speaking of love, who doesn't adore doggy kisses and cuddles? But if you're put off by smelly doggy breath, remember that good dental hygiene leads to sweeter kisses! Try dental treats for an easy way to keep their teeth clean and their kisses delightful.

Increased Physical Activity

It’s a well known fact that exercise produces feel-good endorphins and that regular physical activity can reduce anxiety and depression. But, exercising regularly is just not that easy — especially if you have an office job.

Luckily for pet parents, having a fur baby means we’re often required to move a little more. A study in the U.K. found that dog owners are more likely to meet physical activity recommendations than their pet-less peers.

This is likely because your pup or kitten needs at least 30-45 minutes of exercise and play every day. If you’re feeling down or a little extra anxious, join them in the play!

Whether you take a long run with your Siberian Husky, play outdoor fetch with your terrier, or dart around the house with a string and your kitten, you’re moving — and movement also means more feel-good endorphins. Besides, no one can deny the sheer joy of watching your cat back-flip-twist-pounce onto a piece of string.

Interested in learning more about Training Essentials? Check out our blog for tips on How To Leash Train A Dog Or Puppy."

More Companionship

We call them man’s best friend for a reason. Pets are our unwavering companions — whether they’re a cat, dog, hamster, or fish. The unconditional love we get from our pets is unbeatable, and having our fur baby around definitely eases loneliness.

But did you know our pets can help us develop social bonds with other hoomans too?

A 2017 study showed that when dogs were present in a group of people, there was more “verbal cohesion and physical intimacy” amongst the hoomans. In short, people are more comfortable, friendly and cooperative when there’s a pup in the room. (Take this to your boss!)

So, if you’re feeling stressed and need to interact with people, take your pup along! Your fur baby’s presence will smooth out the interaction for all parties involved, and your pet will love the new company. On the other hand, if your pet has anxiety around strangers, you can help them with a calming aid supplement that will help them relieve tension so you can both focus on making new friends.