February is the Month of Love, we have already celebrated Valentine's Day for the humans. Today, Tuesday 20th February, we get to show our love for our pets.
We are a nation of animal lovers, and we have a lot of love to give. There are almost as many pets as there are people living alongside us in our houses, or close by. We rapidly become attached to our pets and their loss feels like losing a family member.
When it comes to owning a pet, who comes out on top? Well don't tell the cats this but more people own dogs! A quarter of households own a dog, while only 1 in 6 of them will own a cat.
The Feel Good
Animals often give us the no questions asked, unconditional love, that as humans we crave. But, there is a lot more to it than that!
Owning a pet can be a great source of motivation and comfort. In many ways they can help us live a mentally healthier life. By caring for a pet, you can help your physical and mental health in many ways. For example, many dog owners will take their dog out for at least one walk every day. Which is a great way to get some exercise into your routine as this increases your physical activity. This activity gets you out of the house every day and gives you some fresh air.
Owning a pet can provide companionship; giving you someone to share your day with and a sense of security. This can be especially valuable for older people who live alone, having someone to talk to through the day, because lets be honest, we all talk to our furry friends. Did you know, companionship from a pet can also help to ease anxiety?
Caring for pets can help add structure to your routine; having to feed them, exercise them and care for them can all help you feel more grounded and focused. This can give your day a real sense of achievement.
Pets may also help with specific conditions such as autism and ADHD.
There are other circumstances where animals are used for their therapeutic benefits, care settings and therapy dogs. Some care homes encourage residents families to bring in pets, the residents love to see them, pet them and watch them play.
Owning a pet is a serious commitment and real consideration should be given to the time space energy and money required to care for a pet. I'm sure we've all seen the campaigns on TV and heard them on the radio, owning a pet isn't a decision to be taken lightly. If you can't own a pet or don't want to make a full commitment to owning one, there are some charities out there, who allow you to foster and offer pets a temporary home. Definitely something worth considering before diving in if you are a little unsure on whether it is the right choice for you at the time. Or maybe you can visit friends who are pet owners and have cuddles with theirs. The statistics on pet owners is high, it is quite likely we all know somebody that has one?
Who actually needs who the most? Do our pets need us to look after them and care for them, or do we need them for their unconditional love and what they bring to our lives? Well, that is the beauty of a human animal bond, there is a need from both.
So, get cuddling, pampering, spoiling, and loving your pet on this National Love your Pet Day.