As animal-lovers will already know, owning a pet can have a positive impact on people’s mental health and well-being. Evidence shows this is due to several reasons.
They can help reduce depression and anxiety by giving people something other than themselves to care about. Patting or stroking them can help relieve stress
Owning a pet, particularly a dog that needs daily walks, will get you out and about. A pet will challenge you to be more active and take better care of yourself
Exercise is good for mental health and it’s a good way to love your liver, too
Pets ease loneliness and isolation. If you live alone or don’t spend a lot of time around people, having an animal to talk to is a good way to share what’s on your mind and work through problems
Animals can help you make connections. Going for a daily walk with your dog often leads to conversations with other dog owners. Connecting with like-minded people is good for mental well-being
If you have a chronic condition such as hepatitis B, pets can provide a distraction so you can focus on something else when you need to.
