Discussion of the Day
Are people with pets happier and healthier?
APB03-Mar-22
I understand that owning a dog should mean walking it...even when you don't want to...but does owning a cat...or a rodent.... or bird keep happier, healthier and more sane? a fair bit of research suggests it might ... what do you think?
Comments
  • Playing with your pet increases the levels of the feel good chemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Maybe that's why people recover from a stressful.
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    • I AM A WIDOW AND THEY ARE MY COMPANIONS
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      • I think dogs are more affectionate. But sometimes they can get on your nerves. All and all they do make your life happier.
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        • Our dog gives us unconditional love - VERY RARE IN HUMANS. I definitely believe people with animals are a lot happier and probably healthier and that includes horses and donkeys and lots of animals. Animals don't hold grudges, don't judge and the loyalty shown is absolutely amazing.............................. I LOVE ALL ANIMALS......
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          • fitter for sure
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            • My Continental Toy Spaniel is simply the best company - always right there, willing to listen to me, prepared to go everywhere with me, lets me know if someone comes to the door, just a wonderful companion.
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              • My sister husband want a German shepherd and they buy one. In them he didn't want the dog so end up to my sister to take care of the dog. I feel like first time own how want animal needed a caurse of having animal. Its up to the persons that happy to be a pet for life.
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                • Goats walk themselves.. And mow the lawn... Herons just poop on the chimney..
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                  • Pets give us joy maybe pet owners are happier ,and healther it's been proven if you pat a pet your blood pressure is lowered
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                    • definitely
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                      • I don't know, but I feel very sick, like using a toothbrush together. Don't attack me, maybe I'm Neat freak
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                        • That is the best answer so far Kim...I love it ...two other guys like it too....
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                      • Yes, because THE BOSS. {namely BellaSuElla ??rules my home with an IRON TAIL jump she meows and I do. Everyone needs an animal or bird or even a snake or mouse but the fact is one is somehow so much better because of the fourfooters around to motivate one. There are so many animals in council pounds or to use the term animal shelters ADOPT ONE NOW great for everyone
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                        • Yes I am more healthy because I walk the dog every morning and h3 also get enjoyment as well.
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                          • I think owning an animal makes you caring and it has health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and helping with stress.
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                          • Most definitely YES. I have a greyhound who is my best friend and companion. My husband and I also look after two of our daughters dogs because they moved out and were unable to take them with them. We are all inseparable.
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                            • That sounds wonderful. Thank you.
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                          • Absolutely it's company and animals give lots of love
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                            • Definately. Dogs and most animals give unconditional love. You also walk a dog so you feel healthy and better.
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                              • Absolutely yes. I don't have pets but look after them for others and always stop and talk to animals in the street.
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                                • To stroke a cat or dog is so relaxing & eases tensions you may have & you feel the love they give you
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                                  • It depends on what your heart says, whichever pet you identify with be it dog, cat, bird, fish, reptile. You want to love and keep your pet happy in return it tries to fulfill a want you have to own and care for it by responding to you. Over the years we have learned about our pet's wants. They too also learn to understand ours.
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                                    • The girl in that picture was 38 years old before she bought that dog...
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                                      • I'm the pet my wife always wanted. OUCH must have typed that to loudly.
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                                        • Our dog always makes us smile ! He doesn't calm our day when he's being naughty though but he is beautiful and we love him
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                                          • my dog brinbs alot of joy to my life
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                                            • My 3 dogs are my family as I am a senior living alone with my 2 sons gone,One son passed away.The other son decided he no longer wants to see me as I am of no use to him anymore.My dogs show that they love me and are great company.
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                                              • I am so sorry about your sons. So glad you have the dogs.... Better than family very often. Love and hugs to you. xxx
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                                              • Marianne HJANET R 328390
                                                Thank you for the reply.Sometimes it is better to live alone with your pets.
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                                            • Happier maybe, people talk to animals like they understand. Something else alive in an empty house to hang out with.
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                                              • love my pussy cat she means the world to me she's my companion and always comes over for a pat and a scratch under the chin she's 13 now but still is very healthy and loves to sleep alot pretty tough cats tabbies
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                                                • My cat of 17 yrs just passed away from kidney failure. she was my best friend . i miss her awfully
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                                                  • View all 3 replies
                                                  • So sorry for your loss.
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                                                  • Sorry for your loss, we lost our cat of 14 years 2 1/2 yrs ago also from Kidney failure and it was the hardest time ever. He was due to go to the vet to be put down as we could not longer watch him in the state he was and he passed away 37 mins before our vet appointment in my daughter's arms at home. It was so special as we had told him we loved him and we knew he loved us and we told him it was okay to give up now. He clearly knew it was time and gave us the beautiful memory of being with us as he passed. I still miss him so much even thou we had got another cat about 19 months before he passed away. This far down the track I will still sometimes call the cat we still have the other cat's name and I don't even realise I have done it xx
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                                                  • I am so sorry for your loss. That is devastating. Love and hugs to you. xo
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                                                • Both the dogs I used to have insisted that they quite enjoyed having me as their slave to do as they wanted.
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                                                  • haha sounds typical. Still love them.
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                                                • Yeah
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                                                  • My bird says "of course"!
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                                                    • Definitely. I've had cats my whole life and they bring a sense of emotional support and companionship at home. Getting my dog though has completely changed my life. He is a very active breed so we are out walking twice a day, I'm much fitter now thanks to him. We meet up with friends (human and doggy friends) most mornings, it's increased my social life massively. I feel very safe in my home and when out and about, even while living in a dodgy area. I am so much happier and healthier now then before. My dog is 100% my best friend.
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                                                      • I think they do...
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                                                        • ca va sans dire !
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                                                          • Given that the loss of any pet is devastating to its owner(s), its presence in their life/lives for whatever span of time must have made them happy.
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                                                            • Absolutely people with pets are happier, we talk to them, we feed them, they rely on us, we are responsible for their health and well being. It gives us some thing positive to focus on, and if you do have an animal that can love you back it is even better. They show us affection and they are grateful for us being in their lives. Or otherwise they'd run away or fly away which they don't so that shows they are happy living with us. We have 1 cat and 2 dogs, and they are great. Cat can be hard work when she wants feeding at 2.30am and our youngest dog he knows if our mood has changed and if we are sad or upset he tries to cheer us up, he's a cutie and our old boy he's 13 now and well he sleeps a lot these days. I wouldn't have it any other way. We love all our animals.
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                                                              • I don't think it makes any difference.
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                                                                • my dog is my best friend
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                                                                  • I have no pets. Area is too small in courtyard to roam around. Besides if I had a cat or dog who minds it when I go away on holidays. Bit expensive to board or friends are not able.
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                                                                    • any pet is good, for both human and pet. Studies tell us that kids brought up with pets have less allergies than those not
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                                                                      • Our house has always been filled with pets. Our children loved their pets and learned responsibility. As adults, they are all pet owners. I think pets are a very important part of a family. They give love, lessen stress and bring a lot of joy with their silly antics.
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                                                                        • Therapeutic, I feel. We have cats!
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                                                                          • only if you want an animal as part of your family. if you dont like animals you would be very unhappy, Animals are more work and cost more money than children. To each his own.. i am happier and healthier with people in my life and no extra responsibility of animals.
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                                                                            • smelly house = smelly dog. Grommie stays outside.
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                                                                              • Yes to love something else that loves you makes your mental and emotional health better
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                                                                                • sometimes
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                                                                                  • A pet is love that you give to your self.
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                                                                                    • Oh definitely YES YES YES.!!!! I have an elderly Labrador who is my best buddy, a rescue bunny who is allowed to live free in my lounge room, heaps of fish in my large pond, possums who I feed at night who live in a possum box in my old gumtree, and I have seeds and water out every day for the birds, all sorts. Sometimes I get a cat coming in! They help keep you focused and they give you love back.
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                                                                                      • I think it depends on circumstances and lifestyle. The cost of having your friend, if you have to go away for long periods, having to cleanup/walk/keep an eye out if they are trouble makers etc could cause a person more stress and anxiety. So I think both ways are good depending on what a person wants/needs.
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                                                                                        • Definitely……sharing with non human people is the best vitamin you can ever take……lol ….got one of my Ragdoll girls a couple of weeks ago and the second tomorrow. Expecting a typhoon to go through the house…….I hope…..lol
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                                                                                          • Yes, whatever animal, bird or other pet is what you want you will lavish time and affection on it. Love my dog to bits and all the rescue ones I help look after. Even giving them up tugs at the heartstrings although I know they are going to good homes.
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                                                                                            • Animals are amazing. They help us to stay in the present moment, and to regulate our emotions.
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                                                                                              • Mmhmm I think so. It helps with stress and reduces the feeling of loneliness so reducing those two factors would improve mental and physical health.
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                                                                                                • yes
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                                                                                                  • I do not own or have pets. However, animals in general does bring positivity into a person's life. Hell, I actually pet a big lion in the philippines and the lion just made me smile. The lion wasn't raised in the wild.
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                                                                                                    • Hello bonjour guten tag monsieur. my pets bring me joy and comfort and give me a reason to get up. But when you get home and a certain little girl dog has pooped in the house and the rabbits have escaped and are running loose in the dining room and the stray cat who have decided to live with you has puked a giant furball at the doorstep..which the dog then decided to eat...it can be lets say a challenge.
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                                                                                                      • Lol …….the joys of sharing your place, look on the bright side
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                                                                                                      • mary cJoe B 288252
                                                                                                        yes when everyone is fed and watered and my wee girl dog is asleep next to mummy :)
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                                                                                                      • They give unconditional love and bring so much joy I overlook the occasional poop on the carpet…lol
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                                                                                                      • mary cJoe B 288252
                                                                                                        haha the frequency is variable but love can handle these things :)
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                                                                                                    • I love all animals but dogs are definitely my favourite pet. They make your home a better, happier place.
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                                                                                                      • Did have a few pets a long time ago. They certainly are wonderful friends (were)
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                                                                                                        • my rescue dog is my companion and comfort dog, he helps me when i get into my dark place,,,
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                                                                                                          • I have always had pets, mainly dogs and cats. Could not see being without one, they are always there with you.
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                                                                                                            • I think being happy and healthy is being happy with yourself, because other things will be stressful.I don't need a animal to be responsible for.
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                                                                                                              • We have a young cat and a 14 year old and a Dog. They are all part of the family. My Dog is my best buddy, what you get from a dog is unquestioned Love & Loyalty and will never let you down, Humans not so much
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                                                                                                                • Our cat who thinks he's a cow (hangs out with them daily) is insane. Our turtle is inquisitive, and our (stalker) fish watch you all the time. Pets keep you happier and are a lot more appealing and understanding than most people.
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                                                                                                                  • I agree
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                                                                                                                    • That’s for sure
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                                                                                                                      • No.
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                                                                                                                        • I think pets do makes me happy and healthier when you have them as a pet which I wish would have my own pet someday.
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                                                                                                                          • Pets are good you.
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                                                                                                                            • I would be lost without my little dog, she means everything to me. She is 13 years old with health issues so when I go for a walk I put her in her dog pram and take her for a walk also, she loves it.
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                                                                                                                              • Yes they are, it's their own.Always smiles.
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                                                                                                                                • Don't care - if people with pets are happier, healthier, and saner. I am not a pet lover. I am STILL not getting a pet (PERIOD)!
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                                                                                                                                  • Yes they are unless they have allergies to some of our furry or fine feathered friends.
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                                                                                                                                    • I don’t have pets
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                                                                                                                                      • I have accepted many stray cats over the years. They keep me sane, make me laugh and have different personalities. They have different mannerisms and like a variety of music.One I have at the moment loves Mick Jagger singing the blues lol The other one I have to sing his favourite song as HE tucks the sheet under MY chin. Only then he will roll over and go to sleep (bossy bum Maine Coon) LOL I also feed the local crows that have learnt to yell out to me at the front door when they are ready to eat lol I have had to bury many animals which is heart breaking but I wouldn't have missed a day being with any of them. They have given me far more than I gave them.
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                                                                                                                                        • Have seen clips where it has helped people with PTST even suicidal tendencies. Animals can help you to focus away from negative thoughts. Having a dog will push you to exercise which is beneficial for both. My dog mostly puts a smile on my face even though in his early years he destroyed my spectacles and my mothers. I still love them as they are just like naughty children during those early years. Ever watch the "Dog House" A priest and a doctor adopted a dog to help them with their depression.
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                                                                                                                                          • Petting dogs is soothing and walking a dog gets you good exercise. Dogs are naturally protective of their owners. Dogs if you treat them well and give them love they will love you as well; you can see that in their actions towards you their owner.
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                                                                                                                                            • I dont know about healthier in my case but I do have a flock of laying hens that require me to go outside at least 2 times a day and care for them as well as 4 cats, a parrot, a hermit crab and 2 large fish tanks. All require physical activity to care for and I do love watching all of them go about their daily lives which makes me happy
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                                                                                                                                              • Of course. I have a lovely dog who is smarter than most humans I know. I am not a cat person but know people who have cats for pets and they talk to them, feed them, pat them etc. I even know a lady who has a bird who she talks to all the time. Some are companions, some are like family members but whatever the association, as long as the pet is cared for it will give back 100 times.
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                                                                                                                                                • Absolutely not. Happiness is a state of mind.
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