Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a happy dog or friendly cat come running over to you, looking for a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Why do pets make us happy?
Pets do a lot more than just keep us company.
The unconditional love they provide us with is priceless and incomparable to any love we receive from other humans.
We already know how happy our pets can make us, but it’s more than just bringing a smile to our faces.
There are scientific reasons why our pets make us so happy.
Why Do Pets Make Us Happy?
Science proves why pets make us happy.
Oxytocin is a hormone released in the body in response to positive physical interactions.
Research has proven that this happens not only with people-to-people interactions but also with people-to-animal interactions.
Once released, oxytocin has many positive effects on the body.
It has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, increase empathy, improve self-confidence, promote bonding and nurturing behaviors, and even reduce the body’s sensitivity to pain.
Research has also shown that interacting with pets reduces cortisol levels in humans. Cortisol is a hormone related to stress.
For many years, experts have been perplexed by the question of why pets make us happy.
Several studies have been done on pets' ability to boost a human’s mood, lower blood pressure, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
For children, the benefits of being around pets are even greater.
Living with a pet can increase self-esteem, improve speech, and provide a consistent form of attachment that is crucially important to the development of young children.
Pets make us more social.
Did you know that pet owners are typically more social than people who do not own pets?
Dog owners are often out and about walking their pets or taking their dogs to a local park.
While doing this, they meet other pet owners and instantly have something to chat about – their pets!
Have you ever taken your pet for a ride or a walk and had strangers come up and discuss how much they enjoy animals?
There’s no better way to meet new people than by bonding over your mutual love of animals.
These types of interactions can lead to long-lasting friendships. Even if it’s just a brief encounter, these social interactions enrich people’s lives and prevent feelings of loneliness.
Speaking of getting out and about with your pet, having a pet has also increased a person’s activity level.
An increase in exercise will make you feel better physically and mentally.
Pets love us unconditionally.
The very best reason why pets make us feel so good can’t be measured by science. Their unconditional love cannot be studied, but if you’ve ever owned a pet, you know how strong it can be.
Pets do not judge us or try to offer their advice. They are happy to see us no matter what the day has been like.
No matter what mistakes you make, your pet will still love and support you.
Pets are empathetic, kind, and compassionate when we've had a hard day.
Pets don’t question our choices.
They are always there to comfort us and provide love and support no matter what we’re going through.
Seniors, people with mental and physical disabilities, and children have been shown to benefit most from being around pets.
But now you can see that pets are beneficial for everyone!
READ NEXT: 16 Best Dogs for Seniors and How They Benefit the Elderly
