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Most of us have a simultaneous love-hate relationship with our pets: one moment they are demolishing the brand-new sofa, and the next they are showering you with affection. But regardless of how they act, or how you feel about them, there are various reasons why having a pet is good for your health:

1) Lower blood pressure and less stress. Studies carried out by the University of Warwick have shown that interacting with pets (such as stroking them or playing with them) can lower your blood pressure and make you more relaxed. Another study tested to see if pets had the same effect on highly strung stockbrokers. The researchers found that the blood pressure reading of stockbrokers who owned pets was significantly lower than that of stockbrokers who did not keep pets. Of course, this does not ring true if everyone ” if you do not like animals or are afraid of them, pets will most likely have the opposite effect.

2) Recovery from illness. Pets have been known to help people in miraculous ways, but the most common success stories involve heart attack patients. Many studies have shown that pet owners who have suffered from a heart attack survive longer than those who dont, and have a lower risk of heart disease. Pets also offer a certain amount of social support for someone who someone who spends a lot of time in bed recovering from a disease or surgery, which contributes to a speedy recovery.

Pets have also been recommended by some surgeons whose patients have fallen into a coma. While there is no substantial scientific research that proves this, the mere presence of a pet at the bedside of a person has helped patients emerge from a coma. Dogs, in particular have also been known to minimize the symptoms of Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

3) Social enrichment. As most domesticated animals are very social creatures, pets can be highly enriching to your social life. Whether it is a dog follows you everywhere, or a cat that crawls on to your lap to be stroked, pets provide a constant stream of social interaction. They can also be great ice-breakers and topics of conversation, both among friends and strangers.

4) Happiness. People often understand how happy a pet can make us: they help us deal with pain and loss, stick with us through our frustrations, and have even helped people combat depression. Some psychologists have used pets in their therapy sessions, because stroking a cat, rabbit, or dog raises proven to boost the brains serotonin levels. Being greeted at the door by an ecstatic dog or a purring cat when you come home from work every day can really raise your self-esteem, especially if you are having a bad day. This is also why pets are sometimes used in elderly homes ” their mere presence disperses any loneliness or isolation.

Whether you have had to file for bankruptcy or end your marriage, a pet will love you regardless; and this unconditional love is the best remedy to ensure our health and happiness.