Pet Perks!
October 23, 2007
Maybe you've heard of therapy dogs. These pets and their owners visit people in hospitals and nursing homes, offering gentle companionship and bringing cheer. A visit from a therapy dog can "do your heart good." But did you know that owning a dog or cat really can be good for your heart?
For one thing, having a pet can keep you active. If you go for a brisk walk with your dog instead of just letting him out the back door to do his business, you can count that toward your daily exercise requirement. Get in two fifteen-minute walks each day (fast enough to elevate your heart rate but not to make you feel out of breath) and you've met the American Heart Association's goal for aerobic exercise to reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Some cats will enjoy a good walk, too. Yes, that’s right – some cats…not all cats! If yours is an indoor cat, spend some time playing. Dangle a ball of yarn for your cat to bat around, and keep yourself moving to keep the game exciting—and to sneak in some exercise.
Owning a pet may have direct benefits for your heart, too. The evidence isn't definitive, but a few small studies suggest that pets can help control blood pressure. For example, researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo looked at how pet ownership affects stress reactions in people with high blood pressure. They recruited 48 volunteers who had high blood pressure, were willing to take medication, and wanted to own a dog or cat. Half the people got the pet they wanted right away, and half were asked to wait. The results, published in the medical journal Hypertension, confirmed that the medicine lowered overall blood pressure for everyone. But when the pet owners were given stressful tasks, their blood pressure rose less than in the volunteers who didn't have pets.
Owning a pet may even increase your chances of surviving a heart attack. Doctors studying heart patients found that people who owned dogs were more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack than people who didn't. This may have to do with the love and support a pet can offer.
It looks like man's best friend continues to earn the title, and our feline companions are great assets as well. Take your dog for a walk, chase a toy mouse with your cat, and let them know you appreciate all they do!
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