Benefits of Being a Pet Parent
While our four-legged family members may not always be on their best behaviour, it’s safe to say the pros of being a pet parent greatly outweigh the cons! Having a pet comes with added responsibility and requires a lot of commitment, but the love and many benefits that our adorable companions bring to our lives make it all worthwhile.
Companionship
Having a pet is a great way to prevent feelings of loneliness, especially if you live on your own. No matter how bad of a day you’re having, your beloved companion will always be ready to help cheer you up. During an unprecedented time like this when we are spending more time than ever at home, having the companionship of a furry friend can do wonders to keep our spirits up.
Exercise
As dogs need to be walked daily to stay happy and healthy, being a pet parent to a dog can help you maintain a healthy exercise routine! Not only can daily walks with your pooch help keep you in shape, but they’re a great reason to get outdoors, enjoy some fresh air and clear your head of some of life’s stressors. While cats don’t need to be walked everyday (although some of our feline friends may enjoy it!), scheduling daily playtime inside the house or outside with your cat can still provide a way for you to get moving. From tug toys and ball launchers to cat teasers and more,
there are a wide variety of toys available to keep you and your dog or cat
happy and active!
Social Life
Taking your dog for a walk every day not only helps keep the two of you in good health, but it also provides an opportunity to meet new people. While this may not be the case during the current pandemic, chances are you’ve been stopped more times than you can count by someone asking about your furry friend in the past! Again, while you may not have the same opportunity for daily walks with your feline friend, there are still other ways having a cat can help you meet people. With more community pet groups on social media today than ever, it’s easy to connect with other like-minded pet parents!
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
If you’ve ever had a bad day at work and came home to a warm greeting from your fur baby, you know how helpful pets can be in reducing stress levels. There is something about the unconditional love that our four-legged family members show us that makes it easy to forget about everything else – at least for a little while. Studies have shown that pets can help lower stress levels and elevate feelings of calm. Here at Ren’s, we are lucky enough to work in a pet-friendly office and retail environment and can vouch for the calming effect of our furry friends!
