How Our Pets Improve Our Physical Health
From chasing a playful pup around the park to enjoying a cuddle with your cat, having a pet brings a lot more than cuddles and companionship, it can actually be great for your physical health too!
Science is backing what many pet parents have long suspected: 👉 our furry, feathered, and finned friends are good for our bodies, not just our hearts.
In this blog, we’ll explore how pets can support our physical wellbeing. You can find all of the insights in our Human-Animal Bond booklet, and we’ve also linked directly to the research, so if you’re curious, you can dive right in!
Walking the Walk: Pets Get Us Moving
🐶 Dog owners are usually more active and that’s not a coincidence! A large UK study found that dog owners are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those without dogs. Having a pup means regular walks, playtime, and an excuse to get outside.
Kids benefit too! One study showed that children are more active when there’s a dog in the house, especially right after getting one. And that effect sticks around as they grow up!
And it’s not just kids. A study in the Czech Republic found that young women who owned pets were more likely to stay active as well.
👉 So whether you’re five or fifty, your pet might just be your best workout buddy!
Heartfelt Benefits: Pets and Cardiovascular Health
It turns out, pets may be doing your heart some good—literally! ♥️
Two big studies looked at how pets affect heart health and found some pawsitive results:
- Pet owners tend to have better heart health, like lower blood pressure and healthier weight.
- They’re also less likely to develop high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
Dogs especially seem to make a difference when it comes to bouncing back from serious heart events. A meta-analysis showed that people who owned dogs had a lower risk of dying after heart attacks or strokes. Another study found better survival rates among dog parents recovering from major heart issues.
Your pup might not have a medical degree, but they could still be helping you live longer! 🐕💓
Healthy Aging with Pets by Our Side
As we get older, staying active and sharp can be a challenge, but pets can help with that too.
A study from Japan found that older adults with dogs were less likely to develop disabling dementia. 💡 Regular walks, daily routines, and simple companionship all play a role.
Another study from JAMA Network Open showed that having a pet may slow cognitive decline in people over 50—especially those living on their own.
So, whether it’s a morning walk with your dog, tossing a toy for your cat, or even feeding your fish, these everyday moments are doing more for your health than you might think!
It’s a Two-Way Street 🐾
Our pets bring so much joy and help us live healthier lives. But to enjoy all their #PetPower, we have to make sure we’re taking good care of them too by giving them proper nutrition, exercise, vet check-ups, and of course, lots of love. 💕
Want to learn more about how pets support our health, and explore the science behind the #PetPower? Download our Human-Animal Bond booklet!
