For thousands of years people have been looking for the ‘Fountain of Youth’. People will stop at nothing to find a way to live longer. Money is no option if a ‘break-through’ is found that can make us look younger and feel better. The health food and vitamin industry is an every growing billion dollar industry. Fueled by mans need to live longer and feel better people endlessly search for an ever elusive answer. But is the answer really elusive? NO! Studies continually show that owning a pet can extend a persons life and make them happier. This is especially true for older persons who need it the most.
While pets are good for any age, the aging population is particularly affected by pet ownership. When social networks begin to slow down, having a cat that can come jump on your lap and ask for attention causes the owner to feel needed. The responsibility of caring for a pet also provides purpose, perhaps once children have grown and moved away, thus keeping the onset of depression at bay.
Owning a cat is good for your health. In spite of the annoyances that come along with pet ownership – the scratching of the furniture, the weekly litter box cleaning, and accidents you may have to clean up – studies have consistently shown lowered blood pressure and cholesterol. This is more true for cat owners than dog owners, although no explanation can be found. Pet owners are also more active, since they have to keep up with their animals needs. This provides a less sedentary lifestyle, leading to better health through physical activity.
The lifespan of the pet should be considered, since it is not unusual for them to live over fifteen years. Finding the right pet for you can depend on your tolerance and patience and there can be additional costs involved for their upkeep. Food, litter, and vet bills can add up quickly, but you have to consider the health benefits you may receive, which can often far offset the costs of rescuing a poor kitten or puppy from a shelter, however.
You will also want to make sure that you have the time to care for a pet. The great advantage to a cat over a dog is that cats are generally lower maintenance. You don’t need to walk them every day, and leaving them for an overnight trip is possible with a clean litter box and full bowl of food. If you go away for long trips, however, it may be best to put off pet ownership.
Sometimes, it is more than health reasons that makes you want to take a pet in, it might be what they bring as your constant companion. The joy that an animal can bring comes from knowing you are loved. If you visit a shelter and find an animal that steals your heart, you can save the animal from death and maybe save your own life in the process. Saving two lives at once is something most pet owners don’t think of initially, but sometimes that is what happens, when they decide to get a pet.
