A pet can be a great stress reliever and help you feel more balanced. They provide unconditional love and can cheer you up with just one wagging tail or a few licks of their tongue. Pets can also teach kids and elderly adults responsibility, and they can encourage activity and socialization. A dog or cat may be the perfect pet for someone with limited living space or who has allergies, but other animals such as rabbits and birds can make excellent companions. Reptiles like snakes and lizards are good for people who enjoy a more natural setting. Fish in aquariums can be soothing, and they have been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Many pets have regular feeding, exercise, and care routines. This provides structure and a regular schedule for the owner, helping them feel more calm. Pets can help you focus on the present and can teach you to slow down and appreciate simple things in life. They can also offer sensory relief – strokes and movements from an animal can lower blood pressure and speed up your heart rate, and they are often very calming to hold.
A pet can be a great social lubricant – people who own pets are often more approachable and friendly than those without them. You may find that other dog owners will stop to talk with you about their dogs at the park or pet store, and you can easily meet new people by participating in pet-related activities such as training classes and dog walks.