Pets
Having a pet can be one of the most rewarding, joyful parts of a person’s life. Pets offer companionship, loyalty, stress relief and comfort. They can also enrich a person’s life by becoming an important part of the family. There are many powerful, positive impacts that a pet can have on a person’s life.
Having a pet enhances social interactions with others, which in turn provides an indirect effect on one’s well being. The social contact helps rid feelings of social isolation and loneliness.
People who have a hard time socializing with others, like elderly people and those with disabilities, may find that having a pet helps them to be in more situations that allow them to be sociable.
In addition, any type of close human relationship has a significant influence on a person’s well being. The emotional support that a person gains from having a close relationship with another person or a pet will positively affect one’s outlook and self-esteem.
Children benefit from having a pet as it can teach them about responsibility, caring for another living being, sensitivity, empathy and companionship. Having a pet can also positively influence a child’s self-esteem. Children have to rely on adults to tend to their wants and needs on a daily basis. This constant dependence on others can cause a sense of helplessness.
Being the caregiver for their pet can be an empowering experience, as it allows the child to be the one who is responsible for meeting the pet’s needs. It can also teach children who enjoy being the center of attention (maybe to the extreme) that they are not the center of the universe and other living beings need to be cared for as well.
The type of pet that a person chooses will depend on the amount of time needed to care for the pet, the financial aspect of buying, caring for and owning the pet, living space and level of commitment.
Many people do not opt to own a pet because of their living space. People in apartments are either not allowed to own a pet (like a cat or dog) or they have to pay extra initially and each month to house their pet in the apartment. Some people have small homes that will not easily or comfortably accommodate a large pet like a dog.
For those who are in these types of living situations and would still like to own a cat or dog, there are cat and dog types that are well suited for small homes and apartments.
Often when people think about pets, they automatically think about the cat they had growing up or the neighbor’s dog. However, a broad spectrum of pets is available outside of the cat and dog world. There are low maintenance pets like goldfish and turtles, as well as high maintenance pets like pot-bellied pigs and ferrets.
Before running to the pet store and purchasing the cutest, coolest looking animal you can find, it is important to do your research. You need to know what your pet needs to live in to be comfortable and able to thrive.
You will need to know the type and amount of food it requires, its longevity (to assess your short or long term commitment), amount of attention needed, medical upkeep, financial requirements, and the safety of others and your pet in your environment (do you have kids, allergies?).
Keeping all of the factors in mind as you research, also think about what type of pet would fit into your lifestyle and match your personality. If you are a person who likes peace and quiet in the evening after a long day’s work, you may find pet fish or an iguana to be the right pet for you.
If you are a person who thrives on the energy created with noise and activity, a pot bellied pig or a couple of parakeets might be for you. If you are not home a lot, you will need to get a pet that does not require a sustained amount of attention such as crabs or fish.
