Rich in love and connection - your pet's needs are the reason

Written by: Vernon Lam

Some may say that owning a pet is one of the most beautiful and enriching experiences contributing to a wholesome lifestyle.

The powerful mental benefits of pet ownership have been proven to combat the effects of depression and anxiety, much like how you would joke, banter, laugh with and even vent to your best friend. Studies even suggest that the connection you make with your furry friend is equally as emotionally fulfilling as your love for your mum and dad!

In times of personal and financial hardship, or even simply coming home from a rough day at work, pets can be a great companion to manage our stress - (not physically!) by petting, playing or talking to them and appreciating their cute habits. The innocence in their adorable faces always seems to turn that frown up-side down!

Pets crave your attention!

The attention that your cat or dog every so often yearns for, fosters within us a deeper feeling of love and compassion. As a pet owner, you may realise when they're lonely, or want to go outside, or even if its close to dinner time - they're talking to you! They're telling you they want something!

It doesn't matter even if they're whining for attention when you're four episodes into a Netflix binge, it still makes us feel that slightest bit of joy in our hearts.

Companionship from another person or pet makes life easier and joyful, especially among those who tend to feel more introverted, as they can be a friend or even feel like part of their family. The wholesome and genuine interactions we have with our pets are much like those we have with our closest friends and family, both of whom give us the opportunity to be vulnerable and express our personal hardships without any feelings of judgement or prejudice.

They may not understand you, but what matters is how they make you feel about it.

On the topic of how pets can benefit our desire for connection, many psychologists and therapists advocate owning a pet to help with hardships of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety because of how useful they are as a means of emotional support and therapy. One of the reasons why is because owning pets can be a gateway to wholesome and genuine interactions with others who share the same feeling.

Taking your dog out for walks or taking them to a dog park is a great way of mingling with other dog owners that of course share the same values in owning a pet. We're often sharing those cute stories of how one night, Lucy climbed into bed and snuggled with you because it was cold, or (I know, it's a cat story but equally as adorable!) Pickles brought you his favourite toy.

We love our pets so much that we can't help but cherish these precious moments.

Expressing vulnerability through pets

Many of us are caught up in the flow of life with barely a moment to breathe. From work, to cooking, cleaning, taking care of the garden and taking the kids to soccer every saturday, emotions and feelings can easily be buried under the pressure of responsibilities we place upon ourselves. Loving our pets can be the avenue for us to release the built up stress and frustration that gets buried under these personal hardships, allowing us to feel a wider spectrum of emotions. I genuinely believe that pet companionship can be one of many powerful lessons in feeling human.

Pets can be a great alternative to traditional therapy and support us in our everyday lives where traditional counselling may not be able to provide. It is medically proven that pets reduce blood pressure and other chronic diseases in the human body.

Several medical studies support that pet owners are likely to suffer less from stress than non-pet owners. Playing with pets can also increase dopamine and serotonin in the human body, as well as stabilise our blood pressure, helping us to relax and remain calm in difficult times.

Studies around the world have revealed that pet owners are likely to see continual improvements in their mental well-being and sense of emotional security.

It is no doubt that pets demand care and responsibility, but this care and responsibility is exactly what makes this experience so beautiful and rewarding.

References

'5 mental health benefits of pet ownership'', MensLineAustralia, 10 August 2020, https://mensline.org.au/wellbeing-blog/mental-health-benefits-of-having-pets/

Alleviating Anxiety, Stress and Depression with the Pet Effect', Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 10 August 2020, https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/alleviating-anxiety-stress-and-depression-pet

'Pets and their impact on mental health', Beyond Blue, 10 August 2020, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/personal-best/pillar/supporting-yourself/pets-and-their-impact-on-mental-health