Pet lovers rejoice: February 20th is coming and the date is known as National Love Your Pet Day! The purpose of the holiday is to encourage pet owners to spend extra time with their pets and show them the love and affection they deserve, giving more attention and pampering these adorable creatures.
To appreciate our beloved pets even more, here are 15 reasons why they deserve all the best there is!
Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life. -James Cromwell
1. Pets Keep You Moving
Unsurprisingly, many researches suggest that people with pets tend to be more active than their pet-free counterparts. Having to walk them outside (if you have a dog), having to clean up after their mischief, playing with them, running after them when they “steal” something...all of this counts as physical activity, improving your health.
2. They Liven Up Your Home
No home is boring when there are pets present. Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, or even goats can make us happier being home, and transform the place into a much more fun and joyful environment.
3. Pets Help Your Heart
According to the CDC, pet ownership is associated with decreases in cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels, which are factors that play a role in heart disease. Even after the event of a heart attack, people with pets tend to do better.
Pets also help reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
4. They’re Playful
Most pets are playful and energetic, especially when we’re talking about dogs and cats. Playing with them can easily make your day less boring and increase your energy levels.
5. They’re Sensitive
Even though we can’t communicate (at least with verbal language) with our pets, they can sense our struggles and help us ease anxiety and feel more comfortable.
6. They Keep You Company
No more loneliness after you get a pet! They’ll keep you company day after day, even when you don’t want it (like when you need to use bathroom!).
7. Pets Ease Your Stress
Animals can boost mental health by counteracting anxiety and depression, especially among the elderly. Also, people tend to be less stressed, and feel safer and more comfortable where they are when a pet is present, like when you’re walking a dog, for example. You may feel safer by walking with your dog around your neighborhood rather than walking alone.
8. They Keep Your Social Media Busy
Pets can keep us more updated with our social media, since we can’t just keep their adorable photos to ourselves. We must share with the world how adorable they are!
9. They Love You Unconditionally
Their love and loyalty for us is simply incredible and unshakable, and that’s why they deserve lots of attention and pampering!
10. They’re Always Happy
It doesn’t matter how hard life is going, pets are usually happy and joyful, and we should learn this from them, to be happy with the small things and never let ourselves stay down!
11. They’re Cute
Yes. That’s a reason. Every pet, no matter what it is, deserves some cuddles just because of how cute it is.
12. They’re Elegant
While we have to invest in expensive clothes to make ourselves look elegant, animals already have the most beautiful coat that makes them look super majestic. Usually.
(I say ‘usually’ because I just remembered washing away the mud out of my mom’s dog. Still cute, though.)
13. They Help You With Mail
Ok, this topic doesn’t apply to all pets, but I found the photo above so cute that I had to add here.
14. They’re Mysterious
Since we can’t communicate (that much) with our pets, they’re always a little mysterious with their endeavors, and it’s always fun to discover what they were up to afterwards.
15. They Make Our Days So Much Better
Let’s end this article with the simple truth about why we love our pets: they just make our lives so much better!
In case you were wondering…
This is the adorable creature that liven up my days. My brother found her on the street and she has been my best friend ever since.
This is Diana and Trojan, her family’s dog. He’s named after a virus because he infiltrated their house and never left. He’s always offering emotional support while she’s working (or trying to).
Want your pet to be featured here, too? Send us your photo through our Facebook or in the comments below!
