If you haven’t heard of National Pet Month, let us fill you in. Running from April to May each year, this campaign celebrates life with our animal companions while promoting responsible pet ownership.
To mark the occasion, we spoke to our fellow pet lovers here at Pet Supermarket HQ about the real impact pets have had on their wellbeing. Because the truth is, having a four-legged friend by your side can be one of life’s simplest pleasures and most powerful stress relievers.
1. Pets can lower our stress levels
Every pet parent at Pet Supermarket agrees that life with a pet can be wonderfully therapeutic. In fact, research suggests that interacting with pets can influence feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in reducing anxiety. Our pets can also provide sensory stress relief; simply stroking them has been shown to lower your blood pressure. Above all else, our pets can help us live in the moment and become more mindful. Your cat or dog won’t dwell on events from earlier in the day, nor will they hold grudges. The next time you’re rushing to meet an urgent deadline or receive a frustrating work email, try to take a leaf out of your pet’s book.
2. Pets can create a regular routine
We’ve found that working from home more often these days can send you out of whack with your daily routine. Having the company of a four-legged friend, however, can be a simple solution to this. Being a pet parent means getting up at the same time every day, taking your dog for his morning walk, giving your pet their breakfast, cleaning out your cat’s litter tray, and making time to play. They may seem small, but these daily rituals add up to a routine. If nothing else, caring for your pet can give you a sense of purpose and achievement for the day. You catered to your companion’s needs, and they love you all the more for it.
3. Pets can encourage us to exercise
We all know that sedentary lifestyles can have a negative effect on your overall wellbeing. But stepping outside with your pet can help clear your mind and ease everyday worries. That’s why many of us here at Pet Supermarket HQ try to stay as active as possible. Our daily dog walks have helped us settle into a calming, almost meditative rhythm and, quite frankly, are always a breath of fresh air. The same goes for our feline friends – a walk around the garden has become a permanent feature of our day. Some of us have even started going on runs at lunchtime, with our pooch in tow. This is another great example of the benefits of owning a dog/cat.
4. Pets can be a great distraction
As all pet parents will proudly proclaim, our furry friends can be a great distraction from everyday life. When we’re home, our pets offer us social interaction (surely we can’t be the only ones having full-blown conversations with them?), heartwarming companionship, and plenty of laughter. Classic Pet Supermarket moments have included them sitting in front of the camera during video calls, hearing them causing mischief in another room, and reminding us it’s time to take a break. We’ve also found that discussing our pets with our colleagues often turns into hours of conversation, picture sharing, and daily joy. It is a favourite topic, after all.
