1. It’s Really Good for Your Health

Swedish scientists have found out that dog owners have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. All Swedes between the ages of forty and eighty were studied, and those who own a dog, particularly a hunting dog, have healthier hearts. Researchers believe that active dogs keep people more active and that's just one of the health benefits of pet ownership.

2. Look What the Dog Dragged in

Did Fido come in dirty again? Don’t get too upset with the old boy. Dogs track in bacteria that people wouldn’t normally track in. This good bacteria gets into our bodies and is said to protect dog owners from cardiovascular disease.

3. Do You Live Alone?

Whether you live alone all of the time or part of the year, Uppsala University states that people who own a dog have an astounding 33% less chance of dying and a decreased chance of a heart attack by 11%. The brain registers your pet as another household member.

4. Owning a Pet Can save Your Life in an Emergency

Epilepsy impacts one in twenty-six Americans and diabetes effects in one in ten adults. When Amy Jung of Wisconsin went to her local Humane Society to give a needy cat a home, she never guessed in a million years the cat, named Pudding, would save her life that night. Amy had a seizure while sleeping. Pudding jumped on her chest, and she briefly regained consciousness. Pudding then ran into Amy’s son’s room and pounced on him until he woke up and called 911.

5. Having a Dog or Horse in the Family Builds Self-confidence

Horse owners can attest to the fact it takes self-confidence to be able to work together with your horse when riding. Is the new dog you bought from a rescue center chewing your pillows? It’ll take self-confidence to teach her firmly, but gently, that household items are not her chew toys

6. Being a Pet Mom Lowers Your Anxiety and Depression

Ms. Kitty won’t eliminate your problems, but talking to your pet and petting him or her releases oxytocin, the feel-good hormone. She doesn’t need to be a cat or dog, a bird, guinea pig, gerbil, or other creature does just fine.

7. According to the CDC, Dogs Lower Your Blood Pressure

Lower blood pressure protects you from developing heart disease. Petting your dog is a great way to bring yours down.

8. Animals Can Be a Great Reminder to Yourself

Dogs (and cats, birds, and rabbits to a lesser degree) can detect when a person’s blood sugar is low and will behave oddly giving you time to check your glucose levels and get food into your system. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and you must never skip breakfast, feeding your cat in the morning will remind you to eat when Sergeant Fuzzyboots is having his breakfast.

9. You’ll Feel Really Good

Rescuing an animal, such as an abandoned horse or a dog from a puppy mill, greatly enhances your self-esteem. Your pet is alive because of you.

10. Did You Know Your Pet Might Let You Find Your True Love?

There are all sorts of groups these days, online and face to face, from dog parks to sites for guinea pig lovers. You never know who you will meet.

Remember that while your pet can bring you health benefits, be sure to be a great pet mommy and keep your pet healthy with regular veterinary check-ups, flea and tick medicine, heartworm medication, daily walks, grooming, or whatever your veterinarian says to do.