Dogs and cats have been finding a lot to love—and scoring a lot of love—since the COVID-19 pandemic began and many more humans were craving companionship during the lonely lockdown. There’s even a new term for dogs adopted in the past 16 months or so: “pandemic puppies.”
Pets make excellent and loyal companions, to be sure, but they’re also a boon for the owner’s health,reports the American Heart Association(AHA). So with the rapid rise in pet ownership in the U.S., they launched a program called #BestFriendFridays, in which they’re asking people to share photos and videos on social media about how their furry pals have helped them improve their physical and mental health.
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These wellness wins aren’t just anecdotal, AHA pros confirm.
“Having a pet has been shown to combat stress, boost happiness and encourage healthy habits like regular physical activity,” saysGlenn Levine, MD, professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of the cardiology section at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and lead author of the AHA’sScientific Statement on Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk. “Staying active and reducing stress can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease and stroke, and keep your pet healthy as well. It’s a win-win.”
In case you’re on the fence about inviting a new pet into your home, or simply need a reminder of how great Fido or Fluffy truly are (perhaps after they dumped their food dish all over—hey, it happens!), read on for the science-backed health benefits for humans, according to cardiologists:
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Health Benefits of Owning a Pet
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