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If you’re navigating lockdown with a pet by your side, you can probably attest to the benefits of having a furry companion during these strange and difficult times.

Pets bring us endless joy. They make us laugh, are always up for a cuddle, and cats have been proven to increase the physical health of their human companions.

(Cats are particular when it comes to cuddles, but we love them all the more for it.)

There’s a reason that we refer to our pets as ‘fur children’ and it isn’t just because they’re a key part of the family.

According to The Guardian, they trigger similar neural pathways to that of the parent-baby bond. They can also trigger the good feelings that we need to sustain our mental health when stressed.

The therapeutic value of our relationship with our pets, particularly dogs, is increasingly recognised by researchers. Cats can be wonderful too – but dogs have been domesticated by humans for much longer, and, as even the most devoted cat lover will admit, dogs are far easier to train for companionship. Most cats, as we know, are admirable for entirely different reasons.

A number of studies have been conducted that look into why animals have such a positive effect on us, the results of which can be summed up in a few simple points.

Pets increase feel-good hormones

Interacting with your pets increases levels of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin.

Oxytocin works in tandem with another brain hormone, vasopressin, to help to modulate our response to stress and deal with social situations. Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of interest in a possible role for oxytocin in addiction, brain injury, anorexia, depression, autism and severe anxiety.

An increase in your oxytocin output can have a positive effect on your ability to process and respond to high-stress situations like…well…a pandemic.

Your pet doesn’t judge you

Okay, your cat judges you a little, but that’s just because he or she wants the best for you, and also more food.

Dogs love us unconditionally. They’re the ultimate in equal opportunities – entirely indifferent to race, gender, star sign, CV, clothes size or ability to throw cool moves on the dance floor. The simplicity and depth of this love is a continuous joy, along with the health benefits of daily walks and the social delights of chats with other dog walkers.

Cats don’t have owners, they have staff. Bless them.

Pets get you moving and distract you from your problems

One of the main issues with lapses in mental health is the tendency to turn inward and focus on negative thoughts.

Pet care and self-care are linked. When you take a dog out for a walk, people talk to you and that may be the only social contact an isolated person has the whole day. If you have a cat, you can have a conversation standing in the cat food aisle in the supermarket, deciding which brand to buy.

Moreover, when pet owners buy pet food, they’re more likely to buy food for themselves, while feeding your pet is a reminder that you need to eat too.

Just a quick reminder that if you’re taking your dog out for a walk in the morning, make sure he or she is on a leash. It’s just good manners and decreases your chances of having to get up close and personal with another dog walker if you lose control of your pup.

Safety and protection

If you live alone, or you’re physical distancing alone, owning a dog can provide a level of comfort. They offer protection and early warning signs of an intruder or perceived threat.

We’ve touched on a few of the benefits of owning a pet, but let’s get real – the true benefits are infinite.

While you’re reaping the rewards of your pet’s love right now, don’t forget that being trapped inside might be affecting them in unforeseen ways as well. It’s a good idea to make sure that your dog and/or cat is happy and distracted, so stock up on toys and treats to keep them entertained, which you can find online.

If you’ve read the above and you’re considering adopting a pet during lockdown, just keep a few things in mind.

If you weren’t a pet lover before the lockdown set in, adopting a pet isn’t going to change that. They require a great deal of care, love and time, especially when they’re still little.

In the same vein, you need to think long-term. If you’re going back to work in the next few weeks, will your pet be left to fend for itself at home?

For those who are going to make the move to adopt, you need to ensure that you have everything to welcome a new fur child. Thankfully, Pet Culture has you covered there, too.

If that fur child comes from DARG, TEARS, or The Kitten Cottage, even better.

[source:guardian]