Are Pets 'Good for Emotional Health'.

[janemariesayed]

As I am a beloved pet owner I was wondering how many of us were, and if we thought that our beloved pets are good for our emotional health. I have two wonderful dogs called Loopy-Loo, and Carly-Marly. 


When I am in a depressive state, they are such wonderful company as they don't leave me alone for a minute. They are both there for me when I need a cuddle, and forgive me when I'm angry for no reason. If I didn't have them, I think I wouldn't be here for long as I couldn't cope without them being beside me and giving me their loving loyalty.


Do you have pets and do you think that they are an asset to your emotional well-being? Or do you not have pets, and if not, do you think that having a pet would help your condition or not?

 

[Alexandoy]

We have 3 dogs now and 2 of them sleep in our bedroom. When we first had a dog, I was against treating it like a part of the family because although I also love dogs, letting it sleep in the bedroom is being exaggerated. However, I have noticed that my wife seemed to be relaxed whenever she is with our dog (that was our very first dog) and later on I realized that my wife's hypertension is not manifesting anymore. Further observation made me conclude that a dog is very good for our emotional health. In fact, I also turn to our dogs when I have problems and I was alone in the house. And for good measure, we bring along 2 of our dogs when we go on trips to resorts. I have so many things to say about dogs and they are all positive. So if you have anxiety problems and you have no dog, get one now. 

 

[fuzyon]

Definitely, my two doggies have been with me through thick and thin and helped me whenever I relapsed. Since they need so much tending to I also learned how to be responsible and care for others, I always take them for a walk in the morning and feed them three times a day. They're living the life!

 

[katrinarose00]

Yes!

I have 4 cats, 2 dogs and 3 turtles. It feels so good to have them around you. They also give you a sense of responsibility since you have to care for them (e.g. feeding, bathing, walking).

And not to mention all the love they give you  It's so precious!

 

[biege]

We currently have a dog and a cat at home and they both go along well with each other. Whenever we see them move around together it's refreshing and relieving, so for me it's a yes! I love animals and for me, unlike humans, they are a good source of relief because when you talk to them, they just stay on your side and listen.

 

[tomorrow]

I have two cats and they are really cute. I love dogs too but somewhat not so comfortable going to them. So I gave up the idea of having a dog.

My cats are my best companions whenever I feel bored and lonely. I totally agree to the OP that pets give a lot of mental support to us when it is most needed. They are with me always, listening to what I say and always look upon me. In this hectic world it is very difficult to find a person who can at least listen to you. If we have a feeling that there is somebody who is waiting for us and ready to listen to us gives a lot of comfort.

 

[Natasha0717]

As I am a beloved pet owner I was wondering how many of us were, and if we thought that our beloved pets are good for our emotional health. I have two wonderful dogs called Loopy-Loo, and Carly-Marly.


When I am in a depressive state, they are such wonderful company as they don't leave me alone for a minute. They are both there for me when I need a cuddle, and forgive me when I'm angry for no reason. If I didn't have them, I think I wouldn't be here for long as I couldn't cope without them being beside me and giving me their loving loyalty.


Do you have pets and do you think that they are an asset to your emotional well-being? Or do you not have pets, and if not, do you think that having a pet would help your condition or not?

I've said this over and over again, I really think my cats will be the death of me. I love them so much. Too much. I constantly worry about them. I have 5, a mother cat and her 4 babies...they're all grown now. We're like one big neurotic family. When one of them gets some kind of odd symptom, that's when I start the researching, Googling, asking random vets endless questions - vets I don't even know, taking in videos of their symptoms because my cats are too sheltered and scared to actually go to the vet....it's a mess. I love them too much and my health is suffering because of it. The thought of life without them frightens me so much that I do practically anything and everything in my power to keep them alive and well. They're all only 8 years old, but I still believe that every symptom, cough, hairball, sneeze, etc. means something terrible. So my advice is, love your pets and take good care of them, just don't overdo it like me. They are great for people with depression. But if you have anxiety and happen to love your pets as much as I do......GET READY TO WORRY.

 

[janemariesayed]

I try not to overly concern myself with my pets as I only lost my dear Sasha a year ago. The new pup is healthy and I am sure that it isn't Loopy's time for a number of years. I am trying to think positive and push away any thoughts of sickness or the like for fear I may attract it to me.

My two dogs give me so much in the sense that they make me relaxed and feel safe. They are my best friends and understand me perfectly. I havent got cats as my two dogs like to chase them so I would of course be worried about its safety. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I find that my two dogs really help in making me forget my depression.

 

[misszerable]

I'm not quite sure that pets are good for my emotional well-being. Yes, they love me unconditionally. Yes, they are faithful. However, they have such short lifespan that they break my heart when they die. I've lost quite a number of pets - dogs, cats,birds - in my lifetime and their death have left me depressed. And now that my son appreciates our pets, it breaks my heart even more when he cries for them. So really, while it's easy to say I'll prepare myself for the worst when a new pet comes to our lives, I know I'll still cry buckets and worry when something bad happens to them.

 

[Lyndra]

So really, while it's easy to say I'll prepare myself for the worst when a new pet comes to our lives, I know I'll still cry buckets and worry when something bad happens to them.

That just shows how much you love them. They really do become part of the family, don't they?

The support and love from my cats kept me going through some of the worst times in my life. One of them passed away, and the emptiness is left is awful. It feels like I buried part of my heart with him. But, I have to acknowledge that I wouldn't have got this far without him, and the unconditional love that a cat can give when everything else is falling apart.

 

[tyche]

I'm more of a cat person rather than a dog person, and I agree with you that pets are good for our emotional health. I actually think that they are better than humans, since pets don't take advantage of us and betray us and judge us like humans do. They just love and accept us as we are. I actually own a geriatric cat who is 12 years old now, and I'm afraid of the day that I will lose him due to old age, even if he is still strong and able at this point.