It can lower blood pressure and make someone more active.
There are a ton of studies that show the health benefits of owning a pet, from lowering cortisol levels to improving heart rate variability. But less investigated is how pets can help control weight gain and even lower your risk for diabetes. A study from 2011 showed that people who don’t walk as much or take care of their activity schedules tend to be overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) over 25–30 kg/m². Pet owners had significantly fewer reported shortfalls in their physical activity budgets – they walked an average of 200 minutes per week – making it “likely” that their BMI was lowered as a direct result. This means not only the joys pet owners experience from their lovable pets but also the physical benefits they gain from owning a pet.
Of course, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself by taking care of an animal that requires a lot of exercise and attention. It’s great that you can get yourself physically active with your own two feet (and then some), after all, and animals don’t want to be burdened with your physical activity endeavors. But look at it as a form of exercise and good company – and remember to maintain healthy habits, such as eating fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, etc.
If you’re interested in the health benefits of pets outside of just this one study, here are some other benefits of having pets. Dogs, for example, help their owners feel more connected to their community and serve as social support systems that can decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. They also encourage exercise (not to mention they’ll join you on your walks) and force their owners to go outside the house once in a while, which in turn improves mood and helps fight depression.