Mental Health & Our Pets
One of the things that I noticed from others, and even myself, that pets make fantastic friends and comrades that can aid us in our mental health. Pets can show us the love we need or even help motivate us and even cope in situations where we need someone or something to be there. There are even studies that have shown that animal companions could reduce our stress and decrease blood pressure, reduce feelings of loneliness, increase positive mood, and even make us feel social support (1). Before you decide on getting a possible new animal friend/family member there are some things to also think about.
When getting a pet though they will be there for you, you need to be there for them. A relationship with a pet is reciprocal. When struggling with mental health and wanting to have a pet to help always consider:
Knowing some days can be difficult, but having the emotional and mental means to care for an animal or having someone who is willing to assist you if you need help (Being able to feed and give attention to).
Having the resources to sustain them and take care of them (food, environmental materials, vet visits and etc).
Doing research to properly care for your pet (ie. diet, husbandry, environment, grooming, terrarium set up if tank pet, and etc.) Research is extremely important when getting a new friend so you know what to do to keep them happy and healthy and prepares you to know what you should expect from these animals.
The mental well-being of your animal companion is also important. As much as you want to smother love and affection, animals are living beings that sometimes also need space and need boundaries. Stress is very common in all animal species so make sure to check how your animals are mentally coping.
By ensuring the well-being of your new friend a likely bonding experience will happen.
References:
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
