Since Covid-19 sent us into a lockdown in March 2020, South Africans had a dramatic change in lifestyle. There is newfound free time, as time spent in the office and commuting have been replaced with a more flexible work model. Many of us realised that we want to add a furry companion to our lives.

During and after the pandemic, many of us have experienced a dip in our social and coping skills.

Especially certain social situations, like returning to the office, may bring on feelings of anxiety and depression, which can be detrimental to our mental well-being.

Pets can relieve these feelings of depression and anxiety; they can also assist us with our social skills and increase our social exposure. There are many physiological benefits as well – including the reduction of cortisol levels and blood pressure, which has a direct positive effect on our physical and mental health.

Pets are a presence in your home that wards off feelings of isolation and loneliness. They offer a non-judgemental safe space as they are always happy to see us.

“Children as well as adults feel secure in this space that their pets provide. Just the presence of an animal in the home can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety,” said Alet Joubert from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health South Africa.

Pets can help boost your physical activity

Owning a pet can assist you in making the right decisions to maintain your health.

“We need to engage with our pets when they want to walk or have some playtime. When we participate in physical activities with our pets, we get out of our comfort zone and are exposed to social opportunities by interacting with the world and people around us.”

Interacting with your pet in this way can reduce muscle tension and pulse rate, providing a calming effect.

Pets such as dogs are often used in therapy and as support animals because of the effect they have on us. Numerous studies have proven that owning a pet can assist humans in multiple physical, mental, and emotional ways.

“One conceptual analysis article named “Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-being” drew the conclusion that there are indeed proven health benefits for people owning four-legged companions.”

Taking care of your pet

We all know that owning a pet comes with great responsibility, but with that comes unconditional love. Our pets do such an amazing job of taking care of us, so how do we make sure that they’re healthy and happy too?

Your pet’s diet is extremely important to their well-being; it’s best to provide them with a well-balanced diet with quality ingredients. To ensure your pets have a good quality of life, it’s essential to take them to the vet for regular check-ups and make sure that their vaccinations are up to date,” said Joubert.

Monthly protection against common parasites like ticks, fleas and worms are extremely important. This will help prevent your pet from being affected by serious health conditions like tick bite fever, which can be fatal. You also want to take care of their coat and teeth to prevent painful skin conditions and dental disease.

For your pet’s mental enrichment, make sure they get enough exercise and expose them to new environments. Bond with your pets by entertaining them with their toys. Get the kids involved, and let them teach their pet a new trick; this will build a wonderful bond. We want our pet to be happy, well-balanced, and well-mannered.