A topic that I love to discuss is whether pet ownership is not only enjoyable but also beneficial to our health as pet owners. So let’s take a brief look at some of the talk around whether pet ownership leads to a healthier life.

Research

Much research has gone into studying the health benefits of pet ownership. Science studies in Australia, Britain, Germany and the United States during the 1990s have come pretty close (in social science terms anyway) to establishing that pet ownership produces health benefits in some shape or form. But pet ownership is not necessarily all smooth sailing. Both benefits and detrimental effects can be experienced, often to the same degree as the highs and lows of a relationship between two humans.

Direct and indirect benefits

It is important to note that the very definition of health needs to be looked at in a broader sense when thinking of the benefits of pet ownership. There are many direct health benefits attributed to pet ownership such as:

• reduced risk of asthma (in children)
• reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• improved physical condition of older people within the community.

Studies also suggest that there are also many indirect benefits of pet ownership. Typically this is the general well-being of the pet owner that is improved, from a physical and mental aspect. Companionship is the common reason for increased well-being; the very reason why many pets are adopted by owners. In addition, recent news has indicated that the indirect benefits are being taken more seriously - a good example of this is a published news article from the Australian newspaper the Herald Sun, reporting that a Victorian prison had recently taken on the rehabilitation of greyhounds as domestic pets for prison inmates with great success.

In my opinion

For me, there is no doubt in my mind that pet ownership at the very least encourages greater social interactions with other people (E.g. interacting with other like minded pet owners - this may well be one reason you are reading this post!) not to mention pet ownership often being the social catalyst that helps alleviate loneliness and isolation. This of course is experienced at various levels depending on the pet owner, their social situation and the pet, but I would take a guess that at least once, every pet owner has felt calm and with company having their pet around whilst they are on their own.

I for one are thankful for my cat Charlie’s company whilst my partner is away from home; Charlie and I have a strong bond and Charlie seems to even understand that more of his company is needed when I am on my own! Very smart cats those Tonkinese!

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