Studies have shown that it works. Particularly for lonely, elderly people. I wonder if the effect isn’t that one needs to take the dog for a walk, or whatever, it gets us moving. The effect could be that simple.
http://www.loweryourbloodpressurenow.org/do_pet_owners_have_lower_blood_pressure.html
It happened that recently we got a kitten. It really likes to play, and it purrs. I haven’t noticed any immediate blood pressure improvement, although I do know that I’m now spending at least 15 minutes a day playing with the cat, which involves moving the lure and watching the cat chase it. It great fun, lots of belly laughs. It is an amazing tension remover.
pets are good and may help somepeople. however they can be a lot of stress which can elevate blood pressure. Make sure you can afford a pet. they are expensive,especially when going to the vet. They get sick. They get old. They can be a lot of worry when things don’t go right and they get a disease,beaten up by another dog,hit by a car,etc.
Get rid of all the negativity. That alone causes stress. Go play with a wonderful pet friend and loosen up
Pets can be a real hassle. They require a lot of attention. Cats have to be declawed to keep from ripping up furniture – not to mention the hair & visitors with allergic reactions. Declawing can be cruel if the cat should get out & can’t climb a tree.
Some dogs cause allergic reactions as well. The cost of food, the litter boxes & walking the dog are time-consuming & can be detrimental to one’s health if one has to take the dog out in cold temperatures.
I personally think they are more stressful than calming.
I personally don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my cats around. I’m my mother’s caregiver and she has a dog that drives me crazy. I’m not a big dog fan at all because they require too much care. Cats are much easier. I know the costs of caring for a pet can be difficult. Thankfully we don’t have have that issue. I can get away by going upstairs and enjoying the peace and tranquility that my cats bring to me. They truly bring me some peace.
I’m my mother’s caregiver,also! She has 3 little house dogs, s shitz zu(sp?), a pug, and a pomeranian — they all have different personalitites, like people I guess. I personally wanted an ‘Aussie’, an Australian Shepherd — Ru (short for Rune), is very attentive, but very active; It makes me get-up, and get-going!Otherwise I’d be too inactive. Since I got Ru, my bp has noticeably dropped, from 140’s/80’s to the 120’s/70’s — he’s been a blessing and a Health Therapist for me =).By the way, Rune is old Nordic for magical and mysterious! Bye.
how about helping a mother with a new born if they have nobody else or a senior citizen who is lonely. Helping people a little is not much stress unless your take on their predicament as your own. At worst you will pay as much as going to a vet if you help them out . Here in usa we are so busy with pets that children and elders are neglected altogether.I know people who have not talked to their own parents or children or siblings for years and spend hours a day stoking a pet.