the love of a pet: what's it worth?
owning a pet can be expensive, but the health benefits may outweigh the cost.
2 minute read
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february 20th is love your pet day. and while there are a whole pack of health benefits of owning a pet, there is a a bit of a downside — cost.the average vet visit can range from $50 for a simple check up or up to around $400 for more serious examinations. dental care for your pets will run about the same. any vitamins your pet needs will cost about $100 per year, while medication meant to prevent fleas or heart-worms can run you another $20 per month.when it comes to surgeries, even neutering or spaying, vets can basically charge whatever they want. life-saving operations for your dog or cat could, depending on your choice of vet, cost you several thousand dollars.if you choose to adopt and not shop, your wallet could be around $500 lighter, or more. food will set you back another $250 to $700 per year, which may not sound like a lot, but if your furry friend has the gift of longevity like the oldest dog who lived to be 29 or the oldest cat that made it to 38, you could be in for the long haul.of course, if you’re truly committed, it’s all worth it. in fact, having a pet in your life could be good for your health.according to the centre for disease control and prevention (cdc), owning a pet can lead to decreased stress, decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol levels, decreased triglyceride level, decreased feelings of loneliness, increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities and increased opportunities for socialization.an article from harvard medical school states, “walking your dog can help you meet the daily exercise requirements the government recommends. in one study of more than 5,200 japanese adults, dog owners were 54 per cent more likely to get the recommended physical activity than non-owners.”and there’s the love. simply loving your pet can release oxytocin, the same chemical that is released in our brains when we form close bonds with other humans, often called ‘the love hormone.’ a 2014 study from claremont graduate university in california took 100 human participants and put them in a room with their canine companions for 15 minutes. while only 30 per cent of those who played with the dogs saw an increase in oxytocin, that percentage also had a high lifetime number of any pets. the lesson? having a pet will make you happier.
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