YOUR PET - YOUR DOCTOR?

Most of us like pets (with dogs and cats in the forefront) as our companions. But are most of us sure about the potential health benefits these creatures irradiate in our life, and for our well-being, respectively? Read on to learn more…

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND

Christopher Mackenzie from Evanston, IL, asks:
 
My girlfriend Melanie insists that, since she has got a lovely pet, she does not only feel better from a psychological point of view but is much better in overall health. Exaggeration, Doc?
 
Dr. Fritz:
 
Roughly two thirds of American households share their premises with a pet. For most of those,
pets - especially cats and dogs – not only are “man’s best friend” but the best friends and companions at all. With the additional benefit of being always happy and uncritical.
 
Yet, most of us are not aware that these pets are helping us to feel well and even more: they help us to stay – or become – healthy.
 

SCIENTIFIC VALIDATIONS

HEART HEALTH
 

Just take heart health, most critical chronic disease in the nation, with more than 600,000 premature and preventable deaths.
 
According to research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, this positive effect is basically given by the fact that, e.g., dog ‘foster parents’ are physically active 50% more than citizens without a dog. Also, those with a dog in most cases have lower blood pressure, cholesterol – and weight (obesity) than ‘regular’ citizens.

ANXIETY & STRESS

Also, take anxiety and stress. According to a study by U.S. governmental Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children with a lovely cat or dog tested much less positive for stress and anxiety. Scientifically validated recently at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

BETTER SLEEP

Another benefit comes with – you may not want to believe it – better sleep quality, according to findings at renowned Mayo Clinic. Basically, when pets share the same bed or at least same bedroom giving the ‘foster parents’, inter alia, a better feeling of ‘security’.

ALLERGIES

Although it is somehow contradictory, while pets on one hand are responsible for allergies in some of the 50 million nasal allergy cases nationwide, according to research at, inter alia, the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, children exposed to pets prior to birth or couple of months after, may be protected against allergies. 

AUTISM

Even children with autism may find relief with a dog in their family, according to research at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MS.

QUESTIONS?

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