How Pets Can Help Heal Depression

I don't have personal experience of depression, but I understand that there can be days when sufferers can barely make it out of bed, let alone out of the house to walk a dog. If your depression is serious and debilitating, choose a pet that needs less attention; remember that animals never have off days.

If your depression is mild, you could think about either a dog or cat. Nurturing something else and considering its needs will help to shift your focus away from your illness. Stroking animals is also therapeutic, so make sure you choose a tactile animal that likes human beings.

Pet shop owners say that rats are greatly underrated. They are very clean and can be trained; something that's fun and a focus for the time you spend together. They also are diurnal, so you'll see them during the day.

But first you should think about a safety net, perhaps asking a family member if he or she will help out on bad days. Put that into place before you commit.

Another idea is to volunteer to work with animals. This would allow you to test the water first, and to meet people and gain the experience and skills you'll need to look after a pet.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[kkuchenb]

Please do not get a pet if you can't care for it properly for the length of its life (10 to 20 years for a cat). My three cats definitely kept me going during a serious depression, but during that depression I also had to cope with serious illness and death of two of them (they were getting on a bit). It's not all about you when you are responsible for another life. I'm just sayin'.

[Jonahson]

If you can see the kindness of animals surely you are also a kind person at heart.

Here's to you animals lover;

Who always waits for you and almost wags its tail off welcoming you home no matter how late you come back.

Who always wear a big smile the moment it sees you.

Who huddles to you when it sense that you are unhappy.

Who is the one who always be the first to forgive you no matter how unreasonable you are.

Who will always protect your property and your children almost 24hours a day and also a door bell.




Who will always come

[peachfuzz]

To truly help depression, we need to confront & change what needs to be changed.

Pets are beyond wonderful, I always have at least 2, but they are not substitutes
for making better life decisions and being smarter human beings.

Pets should not be used for crutches. They can't carry the load
and do the life work that you need to do, and that would hurt anyway.

[GBartrem]

My Newfie.... would have picked one of those little guys up and brought it to me, set it down on the ground and asked me to play fetch with her.... Annie would not have hurt it, nor would I :)

[GBartrem]

Ok, I gotta know is that photo doctored up? how did the photog get all those animals together without them messing around with eachother.....Ha Ha ha!

I have a dog, or ummm she has me.... we are best friends.

[RobinSeattle]

How can you not feel better when you come home from work and your dogs are jumping on you to greet you and wagging their tales? Or one of them jumps into bed with you and starts licking your face as he/she snuggles up to your chest?

Dogs are the greatest therapy for any sadness.

[DebofMD]

Animals are the greatest. Especially dogs!! :0)

[TheBlackCat]

Uh oh, a dog person!! Looks like we have a dog vs cat rumble on our hands!!

But seriously, pets are great (especially cats ). My husband is away a lot with the army and my cats are such a comfort to me when he's gone. Even though my hubby isn't there, at least I don't have to sleep alone, I have my two little guys curled up with me and I feel much less lonely.

One of my favorite things in the world is to be reading a book with a cat curled up in my lap and a cup of coffee at my side. It's great.