I imagine you have all heard that being a pet owner can prolong your life. It supposedly makes you happier and healthier as well. Shouldn’t it stand to reason that your pets will reduce your anxiety?
THE CUDDLE FACTOR
That cozy little nuzzle you get is usually quite welcomed, unless it is waking you up way too early in the morning.
Dogs and cats like to be near their people, sometimes to a fault. We find ourselves tripping over them more often than we would like because they want to be so close!
Being able to snuggle up with a pet has a different feel than snuggling with other humans in my book. The pets may not smell as nice all the time, but the unconditional love from them makes up for it!
PURE JOY
Do you ever stop to appreciate the amount of excitement your pet displays when you walk into your home? The degree of enthusiasm they have every day is truly amazing! Dogs like to display these emotions freely, while cats hide their glee. They still feel it, they just don’t want anyone to know.
THEIR AWARENESS OF THEIR PEOPLE
There have been times that you have been sick and your pet has known. They have stayed close to you, closer than usual. Other times you may not have physically sick, but your anxiety has been at a very high level, and your pet has acted the same way.
This is a similar concept to how service dogs detect low blood sugar in diabetics and alarm them or others in the house. There are also service dogs trained to detect when someone is about to have a seizure. They are amazing creatures in their ability to read us.
HANDS ON, PLEASE!
Most pets love to get pets! It sounds odd when put that way, I understand. Pet owners know. They love to get belly rubs and ear scratches. The scratches on their backs that make that one leg start kicking… birds and rodents love the attention, too. Any pet I have encountered. I can’t speak to snakes, however. Definitely not my thing!
So how does the action of petting our pets quiet our minds? I believe it’s the connection we have with them. The trust they have in us, the untainted love for us. We understand and appreciate that from our pets, and being able to give back to them with the simple action of stroking their fur is reassuring that we have that bond.
LIFE WITH PETS
Living with pets isn’t perfect by any means. They can be obnoxious and messy. They can be expensive and noisy, and they won’t always listen. Sometimes your pet will do things that you will swear is done out of spite!
At the end of the day however, they are creatures that you can count on more than other people. They ask for food, treats, attention, and pets in return. Giving them what they want can give us so much more than we realize that we need!
I have owned dogs for most of my life, I find that I am always happier when I have a dog by my side. I have anxiety and CPTSD, I have a service dog for that. When I am in public I sometimes have attacks. My dog does more then help me in the public he helps me at home and sticks to me like glue.
My dog knew when I was pregnant and started acting very different, he was more alert. He felt the need to protect me since I was “sick” in his mind. He was still a good boy around my family and people he knew, people he didn’t he was watching them closely. Every time I was upset, sad, or stressed there he was right by my side.
Thank you!