As the holiday season approaches, pets are often at the top of many children's -- and some adults -- gift lists. You may find the image of an adorable puppy or kitty nestled under the tree or by the hearth pretty irresistible. But you might also be concerned that a new pet can wreak havoc with your home or even be hazardous to your health. Certainly a rambunctious puppy, kitty, or other pet can soil, scratch, chew, and nip. And although some animals do carry diseases, the risk of zoonoses -- as these diseases are called -- is much greater from exotic pets than more common ones. In fact, the health benefits of having a traditional pet far outweigh the risks for most people, according to Healthy Pets Healthy People, a division of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The social and emotional benefits of pet ownership are many: companionship, affection, unconditional love, and entertainment, to name a few. Children raised with pets are more likely to be empathetic and social than kids without pets. And having a pet can help enhance a child's self-esteem.
Recent research has also uncovered some surprising physical and psychological benefits of pet ownership for children and adults. And many of the positive effects are not just limited to dogs and cats, but rabbits, rodents, birds, fish, lizards and other pets as well. Here are six of these health benefits:
For more information about health and pets, check out these websites:
The American Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Joan Liebmann-Smith is writing a book about pets with her daughter, Rebecca.
Follow Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/petsandhealth
Full story -- and video!:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827921.900-border-collie-takes-record-for-biggest-vocabulary.html
Here is a video of tegu lizards that seem to seek attention from their owner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz5mvOpCnvI
When I ran my pet rescue, I did not allow anyone to take an animal home 3 or fewer days before Christmas - too traumatic for the animal and animals get panicky, make mistakes, chew things up, hide, and some may try to bite or scratch if they get too scared. Then they sometimes are dumped as being "bad" - the "bad" thing is the ignorance of the humans.
And for Pete's sake, don't give someone a pet that they have not picked out and want! You feel sorry that a friend lost a pet - then take that person to a rescue or shelter and see if they are really ready for and want another pet. Maybe the person had a Yorkie and now wants a German shepherd - or maybe is not mentally ready for another pet - the grieving process is different for each individual.
Home and with the help of my mom we would nurse them, that's how we got most of our dogs. Those Are some of the best childhood memories I have.
Even an hour a day per week makes a big difference for the animals and you will get a great idea of the temperaments and behaviors of the different breeds. Even if you are knowledgable about animals, it is amazing what you learn about them. How do I know this? Having founded and directed a non-profit, no-kill pet rescue for 10 years, I am still learning - and we had everything on my two acres from dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, llamas, horses, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, birds, reptiles, gerbils, guinea pigs to 4 baby raccoons that had to be bottle fed.
True...mine anyway. This year I spent 0 on my own healthcare. On one dog I spent nearly 900 and the other dog I just dropped 275 two days ago...
But they are worth it... they make me - laugh (I have 2 comedian dogs), smile at how much fun they get out of simple things, want to take them out for long walks and they welcome me unconditionally regardless if my hair is messy or I've gained a little weight.
But I must take note of the last slide photo - giving a pet as a present is a bad idea. Only take in a pet after you have seriously considered your lifestyle, budgets and how much help you'll have from everyone in the household. take a neighbor's dog for a walk regularly or housesit a dog during the holidays to try it out first.
I also feed feral cats 8 miles from my home. It's work, but I always feel good when I see that they've eaten the previous day's food.
I have high blood pressure.
Conclusion : it's a trade-off.
"A study has found that people are 47% more likely to enjoy their cheeseburger with ketchup if they ask for, and receive ketchup, as opposed to no ketchup."
You see? If these people asked for ketchup and did not get it, then they would more than likely not enjoy the cheeseburger as much.
Benefits:
(1) Petting a cat is very relaxing and soothing.
(2) Purring cats in your lap are a socially acceptable vibrator.
(3) Warm kitties in bed or under the covers allow you to keep the house temperature lower at night during cold winter nights.
Costs:
(1) Litter box cleaning.
(2) Dry cat food scattered all over the floor.
(3) Fur. Everywhere.
(4) Cats don't understand the daylight savings time/standard time switch and insist on being fed.
(5) The screams of small burrowing mamals in the back yard.
(6) Cat fights under the covers while you're trying to sleep.
(7) Squishy things things underfoot that scream when you step on them in the dark.
All in all, I do think the benefits (as few as I enumerate) outweigh the costs.