Chances are that you have your pet for companionship reasons, or simply because you like animals and having them in your home brings you happiness. It is not uncommon for people to seek companionship in animals, and more people do so than you would probably think.
Just as many people as there are out there that have dogs for safety and security reasons there are people that have them simply for love and companionship. For those out there that fall into this latter category, you will be happy to know that pets have been scientifically proven to help add to the quality and longevity of a person's life as well.
More Homes Have Pets Than Not
According to the most recent National Pet Owners survey, more than sixty percent of American households have some kind of pet in the home. Approximately 44 million of these households have a dog as a pet, so needless to say our canine friends play a huge role in our everyday life. Even if you don't have a dog yourself, chances are that someone in your family, neighborhood, or circle of friends has a dog. It is safe to say that most people come into contact with some type of dog on at least a weekly basis.
After dogs, cats are the second most popular pet in the American household. They run a close second to the canine, appearing in about 38 million American homes as the primary pet. Between veterinary care, food, supplies, and grooming and boarding people spent more than 16 billion dollars last year alone on their pets. Needless to say, they play a huge role in our society - more so than most people ever thought possible.
Pet Parentage Has Its Benefits, Too
Research has shown that those households that have a pet in their home and regard them as a valued member of the family have a lower frequency of doctor visits due to illness, lower risk of suffering from heart disease or stroke, and significantly lower blood pressure. According to a Medicare survey, senior citizens with pets experience fewer serious health problems that cause them to seek medical assistance as well.
As if we didn't know it already, all of this scientific research just goes to show that while many people hesitate to take in or adopt a pet due to the attention and care they require it seems that animals more than give back in the unconditional love and medical advantages that they provide us in return.
Of course having a pet is about more than letting an animal live in your home. They require care, attention, basic medical care and items to help enrich their lives and their own existence. You have to be willing to give them love and attention, and taking a vacation will never be quite the same with a pet at home, either.
Without even trying animals bring a great deal of joy into our lives, so if your health and the happiness of a lucky dog is worth it to you, look into adopting a pet. You may find that you enrich one another's lives in more ways than you ever thought possible.