Pets And Living Longer.

With rising concern over heart attacks and other diseases, perhaps you have overlooked a simple solution to the betterment of your health. By simply owning a cat, studies show you can decrease the incidence of a heart attack by up to 30%. There have been reports of cats and dogs saving lives through amazing feats. If you could extend your life, there's no better way than by adding a furry ball of love into your world.

While pets are good for any age, the aging population is particularly affected by pet ownership. When social networks begin to slow down, having a cat jump on your lap and ask for attention causes the owner to feel needed. The responsibility of caring for a pet also provides purpose. Once children have grown and moved away, it can keep the onset of depression at bay.

Cats might be guilty of scratching the furniture, and demanding more tasks such as cleaning the litter box, but studies have consistently shown health improvements in the elderly, such as lowered blood pressure and cholesterol. Cat owners seem to realize the health benefits more than dog owners, but there is no reasonable explanation for the difference. Keeping up with the needs of a pet keeps the elderly more active, and discourages a sedentary lifestyle, and the additional physical activity leads to a healthier lifestyle.

Now we are not saying, just drop everything and go out and buy any old 'big eyed' dog or cat at the local shelter. There are some things that might detract from a happy experience if not taken into account. For instance, pets require special care such as flea and tick medication. Dogs need heart worm medication; accidents can require trips to the vet. Money is one of the biggest causes of stress in a person's life. So be sure the individual can properly care for their pet and not become stressed out over occasional costs. Food, litter, toys and proper enclosures can quickly pile up. If such matters can be accommodated then the benefits of pet ownership are well worth the investment.

You will also want to make sure that you have the time to care for a pet. The great advantage to a cat over a dog is that cats are generally lower maintenance. You don't need to walk them every day, and leaving them for an overnight trip is possible with a clean litter box and full bowl of food. If you go away for long trips, however, it may be best to put off pet ownership.

Sometimes it's not always the facts that make someone want a pet. Once your heart is ready to let an animal in, you will be able to experience the joy that comes from knowing you are loved. Visit a shelter and find the animal that pulls at your heart strings. You will be helping your health, and saving an animal from ultimate death. There's not a better combination of life saving that you can do - saving two lives at once.

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