How Pets Can Enhance Your Health and Weight

Pets naturally enhance our lives in many ways. They’re a constant source of affection and company, and they teach us a lot about personal responsibility. But have you ever considered the role pets can play in your weight management journey?

How Pets Can Help You Manage Your Weight and Health

As we say quite often, a lot more goes into weight-loss and weight maintenance than “eat less, move more.” The presence of pets in our lives can be one of those important factors! Check out these ways that pets can enhance your weight management journey:

They Boost Our Fitness Levels – Taking your dog (and sometimes cat!) on a walk is a great way to burn calories in the company of your best friend. With a dog, you can even step it up a notch and go for a run or an outing in the park. Or, try a hike in the woods or a weekend spent camping!
They Reduce Stress – There’s nothing better than coming home after a long, stressful day and seeing your pet get excited to greet you. The love, affection and company that pets add to our lives helps us reduce stress and in turn, manage our weight because we’re happier and more energetic.
They Can Lower Your Cholesterol – Many studies reveal that people who have pets report lower cholesterol levels. Perhaps its the boost in fitness you receive from keeping your pet active and healthy, but there are likely many reasons.
They Reduce Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Risk – Caring for an animal has a way of easing our bodies and minds, and as a result, we’re often “brought back town to earth” in the company of our pets. This reduction in stress can help reduce blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
They Can Reduce Chronic Pain – Petting your animal, taking them on a walk or listening to them purr can reduce endorphins, which often has the effect of relieving pain.
They Improve the Quality of Our Lives – Our cherished animals are great for improving relationships, bringing families closer together and giving our lives a sense of stability. As a result, we’re more apt to stick to our weight management plans and stay focused on our long-term goals.