Cutest Pets of Porter County Magazine February 2020

Self-care is an important piece of maintaining a happy and healthy life,
and adopting a pet can be a beneficial way to improve overall wellbeing
in a number of ways.
From reducing loneliness to keeping people more
active, the perks of pet ownership can be felt both
physically and emotionally, and are nearly impossible
to quantify. Plus, adopting a pet can be a feel-good
experience, because you’re not only getting a new best
friend, you’re helping an animal in need find a loving
forever home.
Consider some of these ways adopting a pet can
improve overall well-being. For more information on the
benefits of pet adoption, visit Pedigree.com.
1. Pets Increase Physical Activity
Adopting a pet offers owners a chance to improve
daily exercise habits. From taking walks and playing
in the yard to having a new partner for hikes and visits
to the park, dog owners have numerous opportunities
to be active with their four-legged friends. Cats also
need playtime each day, providing cat owners with a
designated time to get active while bonding with their
pets.
2. Pets Reduce Feelings of Isolation
Pets have the ability to make people feel less alone.
Whether coming home from a long day or taking a
stroll around the neighborhood, having a wagging
tail around can make everything better. The moodboosting
effect of pets is the driving idea behind a
campaign from the Mobil Delvac and PEDIGREE®
brands called Mutts4Trucks, which aims to make a
positive impact on the mental and physical well-being
of professional truck drivers while helping pets in need.
According to research from DePaul University, nearly
one-third of professional truck drivers said being alone
and away from their families is a significant issue
affecting their mental health. To help reduce those
feelings of loneliness, the campaign is pairing drivers
with shelter dogs in need of homes.
3. Pets Encourage Relationship Building
Pets require walks, trips to the vet and grooming, which
can get their parents out and into new settings and
environments. When out and about, pets can provide
a comforting presence for their owners and serve as
conversation starters, helping to put their owners at
ease and encourage socialization. Pets also provide
opportunities to meet, mingle and make friends with
neighbors while at the park, on walks or running
errands.
4. Pets Help with Stress Reduction
Almost anyone who’s ever sat on the couch with a
furry friend knows pets can bring a calming presence.
Having a dog in the house can also help people feel
safer and more secure in their surroundings. From
comforting snuggles to a friendly tail wag, pets have
an uncanny ability to help ease their owners’ minds
and reduce stress.
Cutest Pets of Porter County | February 2020
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