Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Pets:
How to Stay Healthy Around Pets
Summary:
There are many health benefits of owning a pet. They can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.
There are many health benefits of owning a pet. They can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship. Most households in the United States have at least one pet.
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Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets is linked to several health benefits, including:
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Decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD. Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities; better cognitive function in older adults; and more opportunities to socialize
However, pets can sometimes carry harmful germs that can make us sick even when the pet appears healthy. The diseases people get from animals are called zoonotic (zoe-oh-NOT-ic) diseases.
The CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. CDC is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services. To read more CDC pet articles, please visit Healthy Pets, Healthy People.
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