Having a pet can aid in decreasing blood pressure and also lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels leading to healthier hearts.
By Alison Crane
An estimated 68% of U.S. households have a pet. Most people consider their pets to be furry family members. As someone who has grown up with a variety of pets and as a parent, I can vouch for the richness that pets bring to our lives.
According to research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) owning a pet can make a noticeable difference in people’s health. Having a dog or cat or some other animal can aid in decreasing blood pressure and also lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels leading to healthier hearts. Pets help with feelings of loneliness and can lower anxiety and symptoms of PTSD. Some studies have found that people who have a pet miss less work and make fewer visits to the doctor and get more exercise.
Children who grow up with pets are not as likely to develop allergies and asthma. Studies are also showing multiple benefits for pet interactions at school, especially for kids with autism and ADHD. Pets also provide children with opportunities to develop responsibility and empathy, character traits that will serve them well as adults.
If you are considering getting a pet, it would be beneficial to consider what your goal is for having one. For example, do you want to get more exercise? Then a dog would make a better choice than a turtle because dogs need to be walked and need plenty of playtime. But if you work a lot you would need a low-maintenance pet, a turtle or a fish might be a good option.
Whatever type of pet you choose, remember that pets are generally a long-term commitment. Some parrots will live 50 years or more. Be sure to consider the cost of maintaining your pet’s health and well-being over the lifetime of that animal.
If you have children and are interested in helping them learn more about animals and their care, 4-H offers opportunities for learning about animal husbandry and more through our educational projects and programs. You can contact the Garland County Extension Service for information on our county 4-H clubs and how to get involved. Call 501-623-6841 or email acrane@uada.edu. You can also visit our website at
Alison Crane is a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the Garland County Extension Service. The UofA System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
