ARE YOU PET-READY? WEIGHING THE PROS & CONS OF PET OWNERSHIP

Pets are animals we keep as companions that greatly influence our overall well-being. Pet ownership can bring numerous health benefits, from lowering stress to getting one to be more physically active. However, there are potential health risks that come with pet ownership that all owners should know about.

This article explores the health benefits of pet ownership and whether they outweigh the risks. It also provides tips for health and safety so you can make the most with your furry friend.

How Do Pets Affect Overall Health and Well-being?

Pets can have an extremely positive impact on both our physical and mental health. The discussion below briefly examines the main benefits of being a pet owner.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Owning a pet can alleviate stress and anxiety, and interacting with them can combat stress to some degree.

Studies confirm this observation by showing that owners' cortisol levels are lower after spending time with their pets. Bonding with pets also elevates oxytocin levels, a hormone associated with happiness and relaxation.

Simply petting or cuddling with your furry friend can have a calming effect and help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Playing with your pet can also release endorphins, improving your mood and overall well-being.

Increases Physical Activity

Having a pet can make you more physically active and contribute to your daily exercise routine.^[1]

Dogs, in particular, require daily walks and playtime. Their need for physical activity can help you stay active and keep a healthy weight profile. Dog walking is especially beneficial for older adults struggling to remain active.

Provides Companionship

Pets provide companionship, especially for those who live alone.

Having a pet to come home to can help reduce loneliness and isolation. It can also help improve mindfulness and attentiveness. In some studies, spending time with a pet helped children to relax, improved their mood, and enhanced their thinking abilities and attention span.^[2]

Furry companions may also offer the owner a sense of purpose and responsibility that can enhance life satisfaction.

Lowers Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels

Studies have shown that pet owners display reduced blood pressure levels and less cholesterol compared to non-owners. Along with many other reports, these findings imply that pet owners are at a reduced risk of heart disease and other health issues.^[3]

These benefits are likely the result of the physical lifestyle and reduced stress levels ascribed to pet ownership.

Boosts Immune Function

Exposure to pets, especially at a young age, can help boost the immune system.

Children who grow up with pets are less susceptible to allergies or respiratory ailments like asthma. This improved resilience may be because pets can introduce various bacteria and allergens into the home, which can strengthen the immune system.

However, it is important to note that this benefit may not apply to all individuals and may depend on the type of pet and their living environment.

The Health Risks of Owning a Pet

While pets can provide numerous health benefits, they pose health risks equally. It is advisable to research any potential health risks before bringing a new pet home.

Potential health problems to prepare for include pet dander, infectious zoonotic illnesses, and injuries.

Pet Dander and Allergies

Pet dander consists of specks of skin, fur, or feathers. Dander triggers allergic reactions in some people. Exposure can usher symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy, watery eyes.

Those with a history of allergy are more likely to be allergic to pets. Some people tolerate pet dander after several weeks, while others cannot keep pets without experiencing severe symptoms.

Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases are illnesses transmitted from animals to humans through contact with saliva, feces, scratches, or bites. Pets tend to interact daily with potential contaminants in the environment, such as outdoor water, dirt, long grass, wildlife, or droppings. They can contract a wide variety of pathogens.

Fleas and other biting insects can cause worms to develop inside the animal or lead to chronic infections. Improper grooming or constant moisture can cause a pet to develop skin infections that can pass to the owner if not treated.

While the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease from a pet is relatively low, it is still essential to be aware of the potential risks.

Some common zoonotic diseases include ringworm, roundworms, rabies, and bacterial infections. These and several more are reviewed below.^[4]

Roundworms, Tapeworms, and Hookworms

• Carriers: Dogs and cats can get these from fleas or from eating infected prey.
• Symptoms: Often none in humans, but may cause digestive upset, abdominal pain, or weight loss.
• Possible Complications: Heavy infestations in children can sometimes lead to malnutrition, anemia, or lower mental aptitude^[5]. In severe cases, roundworm larvae can migrate to other organs, causing conditions like visceral larva migrans (damage to internal organs) or ocular larva migrans (vision loss)^[6].
• Prevention: Handwashing, flea control for your pet, and prompt cleaning of feces all help break the life cycle of these parasites.

Ringworm

• Carriers: Dogs, cats, other animals, and even humans can carry ringworm. Direct contact with infected skin can lead to transmission.^[7]
• Symptoms: Red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. May appear on the scalp (scaly patches, hair loss), feet (athlete's foot), or groin (jock itch).
• Possible Complications:  In severe cases, ringworm can cause deeper skin infections or inflammation if left untreated.
• Prevention: Wash hands after touching pets, avoid sharing towels or personal items, and treat infected pets promptly.

Rabies

• Carriers: Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes and other wild animals are common carriers. Dogs and cats can also be infected if unvaccinated^[8].
• Symptoms: Early stages may include fever, headache, and weakness. As it progresses, rabies can cause confusion, agitation, hallucinations, paralysis, and hypersalivation.
• Possible Complications: Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. There is no cure, but prompt post-exposure treatment can prevent the infection from developing.
• Prevention: Avoid contact with wild animals, vaccinate your pets, and seek prompt medical attention for any bites or scratches from animals.

Salmonella

• Carriers: Reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even some mammals can carry Salmonella bacteria.
• Symptoms: Fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps in humans.
• Possible Complications: In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to reactive arthritis (joint pain and inflammation)^[9].
• Prevention: Washing hands after handling pets, their food, or their waste is key. Avoid letting pets lick your face or open wounds.

Giardia

• Carriers: Dogs and cats can pick up this water-borne parasite^[10].
• Symptoms: Diarrhea, gas, nausea, and abdominal cramps in both pets and humans.
• Possible Complications: Prolonged Giardia infections can sometimes result in malnutrition and dehydration and contribute to conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Prevention: Strict handwashing after playing with your pet, cleaning their litter, or picking up feces is crucial.

Tick-borne diseases (E.g., Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever)

• Carriers: Dogs and cats can bring infected ticks indoors.
• Symptoms: Wide-ranging, including fever, rashes, aches, and long-term severe effects if untreated.
• Possible Complications: Untreated tick-borne diseases can lead to chronic joint pain, neurological problems, heart complications, and, in severe cases, even death.^[11]
• Prevention: Thorough tick checks on yourself and your pet after outdoor time are vital. Preventative tick medication for pets is important but is not 100% effective.

Toxoplasmosis gondii

• Carriers: Cats are the primary host, but other animals can be infected.
• Symptoms: Often none in healthy adults, but may cause flu-like symptoms. Dangerous during pregnancy or for immunocompromised individuals.
• Possible Complications: Can lead to severe birth defects if contracted during pregnancy. In immunocompromised people, it can cause brain or organ damage. Some studies suggest a possible link between cats, Toxoplasma gondii infection, and mental health issues like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, more research is needed to confirm the findings.
• Prevention: Wash hands after handling cat litter or gardening (soil can be contaminated). Pregnant women should avoid litter box duties.

Cryptococcosis

• Carriers: This fungal infection is found in bird droppings, but cats can occasionally carry it with no symptoms themselves.^[12]
• Symptoms: In humans, can range from mild respiratory issues to serious lung or brain infections.
• Possible Complications: Cryptococcal infections can cause meningitis (inflammation of brain and spinal cord membranes), potentially leading to severe neurological damage.
• Prevention: Prevention can be challenging; immunocompromised people may need to be cautious around cats exposed to the outdoors.

Psittacosis (Parrot fever)

• Carriers: Primarily birds
• Symptoms: Fever, dry cough, chills, headaches, and muscle aches.
• Possible Complications: Untreated psittacosis can progress into serious pneumonia, heart problems, or neurological issues.^[13]
• Prevention: Handle birds carefully, clean cages regularly, and avoid close contact if you are immunocompromised.

Others

Less common yet serious zoonotic illnesses include brucellosis, leptospirosis, and zoonotic influenza. Contact with infected dogs (Brucellosis), wildlife (Leptospirosis), or birds (Influenza) may pose higher risks than typical pets.

Strict hygiene is still important, but awareness of these diseases and their sources is key.

Possible Complications:

• Brucellosis can cause spiking fevers, chronic arthritis, and organ damage.
• Leptospirosis can trigger kidney failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress.
• Zoonotic Influenza strains can lead to severe respiratory illness.

Pet Bites and Scratches

All pets can sometimes bite or scratch their owners. Cat or dog bites, even playful ones, can break skin and become infected.

Cat scratch disease, otherwise known as cat scratch fever,  is a widespread problem amongst cat owners that occurs when cat scratches become infected. Infected cat scratches can cause systemic illness, leading to fever, swollen glands, and fatigue.

Proper bonding, training and socialization help reduce the risk of aggressive behavior. Clean the wound thoroughly if you get bitten or scratched by your pet. Reach out to a healthcare provider if you develop any severe symptoms in the following days.

Physical Injuries

Falls due to pulling leashes or tripping over small animals are also a risk. Injury may be more of a consideration for older individuals or those prone to falling.

Stress

As much as animal companions are known to provide a buffer against stress, they can equally be a source of stress.

Pets can become unexpectedly ill, fly or run away, easily land in traffic accidents, and get stuck in difficult-to-reach places. They may also frequently make loud sounds that can cause distress to owners and neighbors.

Why Is Your Pet's Health Important?

As emphasized above, most pet-related health problems that affect the owner are related mainly to the pet's health.

There are minimal problems when the owner tends to the pet's needs, including adequate veterinary attention. The owner can even avoid or significantly reduce biting, scratching, and dander if the pet is cared for optimally.

Visit your vet if you observe the following symptoms in your pet^[14]:

• Appetite loss
• Excessive scratching that lasts several days
• Changes to skin or fur
• Increased water consumption
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Abnormal or unusual behavior
• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Difficulty in moving or getting up
• Presence of peculiar lumps
• Injuries

Tips for Better Pet Health and Safety

The following tips can help you improve your household's and your pets' health and safety.

Optimal preparation: Before getting a new pet, you need to prepare mentally and physically for the experience by:

• Assessing potential risks for the type of pet you want to adopt
• Preparing an area of the house for them until they are adjusted
• Getting all the requirements beforehand, such as cages, feeding bowls or any other specialized equipment
• If required, adjust your schedule or get someone to look after them while you are away
• Make sure they are supervised when near young children

Regular grooming: Grooming does more than just improve your pet's appearance. It promotes better hygiene, which enhances the health of both owner and pet. Healthy grooming includes:

• Brushing your pet's fur
• Bathing them frequently
• Making sure they are dry most of the time
• Trimming their nails
• Cleaning their ears, eyes, paws (between nails), noses and mouths
• Clipping your bird's wings if a large breed

Clean living environment:

• Maintaining clean bedding, tanks, cages, holding pens, and litter boxes for your pet
• Regularly vacuuming to remove dander and hair
• Get an air purification system if the dander is severe or someone in the household is highly allergic
• Keep any toxic substances away from your pet's reach
• Make sure the house is free from clutter to minimize the risk of tripping or falling

Proper nutrition and exercise: It is essential to keep your pet healthy and fit by:

• Providing a balanced and nutritious diet
• Opting for high-quality pet food
• Ensuring regular exercise

Veterinary care: Ensuring your pet receives adequate medical attention lowers the risk of infections that can spread and improves the health of both pets and owners. Adequate veterinary care involves:

• Regular check-ups to ensure your pet's health
• Administering pet vaccinations to prevent diseases^[15]
• Timely identification and treatment of any health issues

Conclusion

Pet ownership can bring numerous health benefits, from lowering anxiety to promoting a more physically active lifestyle. There are also potential health risks that come with pet ownership. By taking proper care of your pet and practicing good hygiene, you can ensure both your and your furry friend’s health and safety. If you are considering adding a pet to your family, research well and choose the right pet for your lifestyle and health needs.

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