Ways your pet helps your health

If you want to lower your blood pressure, boost your mood and grow your social network, owning a pet could be the perfect prescription.

When it comes to your physical health, it’s clear that owning a dog tends to force you into getting a little extra exercise. But cats don’t have to drag you out of the house to improve your health: both cat and dog owners have lower blood pressure than non-pet owners, which means you have a lower risk of heart disease.

The pet prescription can also calm your mind: owning a pet can help alleviate depression, stress and loneliness. Contact with all sorts of animals can boost your mood – pet owners report higher life satisfaction than non-pet owners.

And don’t forget the social benefits to owning a pet: if you own a pet, you’re less likely to be lonely – and you’re more likely to have healthier relationships with your human friends when compared to a non-pet owner.

So perhaps you should give your pet an extra hug to say thanks (or just a quick pat or kind word if they’re not the hugging sort). Maybe you should even return the favour, taking out pet insurance so you’re able to do at least as much for their good health as they’re doing for yours

Interested in protecting your pet with Southern Cross Pet Insurance? Get a quick and easy online quote now.