I came across an article on the CDC website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) about the health benefits of owning a pet. I think we’ve all heard that animals can be beneficial to our health, but the article was interesting.

They say that studies have shown that owning a pet can have lots of health benefits, which include a decrease in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.

Also, people with pets may get more exercise since they can walk, run, bike ride, and swim with their dogs or even just throw a ball or a frisbee.

Owning a dog provides a need to get outside more and even socialize more. When my husband and me walk our dog around our neighborhood, we meet lots of other people and dogs that we otherwise would never know. There are also dog parks that lead to new friendships among both the dogs and their owners. And the CDC says pet ownership can lead to better cognitive function in older people.

Pets can be great for kids as they help them to learn compassion and responsibility. But kids also have to remember to wash their hands right after playing with pets or touching their cages, beds, food and water dishes.

The CDC has some recommendations for us before bringing home a new pet, such as always doing research in order to make sure that it is the right one for you and your family.

My husband watches someone on YouTube whose parents got her a sulcata turtle when she was a kid, not realizing that they can live to be over a 100 years old. She loves her tortoise though, but his lifespan was originally a surprise. Now she has a whole channel about him.

We almost once got a dog whose breed is known to be very high energy. She was so pretty and affectionate, but high energy wasn’t what we were looking for and I was glad to have found that out. Here are some suggestions to consider from the CDC before getting your new pet: what does the pet eat, how big will it get, how much will veterinary care cost, what type of habitat does this pet need, what type of exercise does this pet need, and are there young children, older people, or people with weak immune systems who will care for or be around the pet.

Because pets can sometimes carry germs that can make us sick, here are some tips from the CDC to help you and your family stay healthy while also enjoying your pets.

      1. Kids younger than 5, people with weakened immune systems, people who are pregnant, and people 65 and older are more likely to get sick from germs that can be transmitted to people from animals.

      2. Whether you are playing with, feeding, or cleaning up after your pet, always wash your hands after. You can use hand sanitizer until soap and water are available.

      3. No matter what type of pet you have…dog, cat, horse, parakeet, gerbil, bearded dragon, etc. they will need regular veterinary care in order for your pet and family to stay healthy.

      4. It’s a good idea to cover sand boxes, so that cats don’t use them as litter boxes.

Here is the article on the CDC website if you would like to read more:  CDC Article