The Importance of Pets

The Importance of Pets

I’ve always loved animals. I, like any person with sense, find them incredibly endearing. They are cute and never rude - what’s not to like? However, for a long time, I felt pretty strongly that I was in no position to take care of another living creature. For most of my late adolescence/early adulthood, I was barely taking care of myself, if at all. My mental health was poor, as were almost all of my lifestyle habits. I had no regular food or sleep schedule. I was just barely scraping by financially. I was unsatisfied with the job I had, and how I spent most of my time, whether personally or professionally. As much as I enjoyed cute little creatures, I simply knew that I was not in a mental or fiscal position to adopt one for myself. 

All of that changed in an instant when, while on a delivery job, I spotted a small gray plastic bag in the middle of a residential road. I slowed down mostly to be sure it wasn’t an animal of some kind (my eyesight is… not great). Thank goodness I did - while at first I was looking at a small gray plastic bag, I was now looking at an even smaller grey head poking out of it. I threw on my hazards, put my car in park and hopped out. Immediately after I crouched down, the tiniest kitten I had ever seen sprang up and pranced over to me. It was all over from that point forward - the next thing I knew, that tiny gray kitten was in my car and in my lap and in my life. It’s now a year later, and I’ve never been happier. 

Here are some ways bringing a pet into your life might just be the best thing you could do for your mental health:

How Animals Help Us

Mindfulness

Greater Good Magazine defines mindfulness as “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens”. In case you didn’t already know, mindfulness is one of the most effective tools for establishing and maintaining a sense of mental wellness. 

Have you ever heard the phrase “we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with”? This popular Jim Rohn quote stems from the idea that humans are impressionable creatures; that, without necessarily being fully cognizant of the fact, we are constantly adapting new behavioral patterns largely based on who we spend our time around. This does not apply strictly to other humans, however. That’s right - you learn from your pet just as much (if not more!) than they learn from you.

Pets are champions of living in the present moment. They do not worry about the future or get caught up in the past. They hold no grudges and have no concerns other than that with which they are immediately presented. In this way, they are excellent and effortless teachers of mindfulness. 

Confidence Boosters

Your pet does not care if you got a promotion at work, or if you were even up for one in the first place. Your pet doesn’t mind when you haven’t showered or gotten dressed, or when you watch the same show with every meal. They don’t care! All they care about is eating, sleeping, playing, and loving you unconditionally. 

Oftentimes, feelings of low self-worth are actually a result of feeling isolated or misunderstood. Unconditional love and acceptance is an excellent antidote to both of these unpleasant feelings. While no other living creature can fix the way you see yourself, it is undeniable that when we are viewed through the lens of love and compassion, it makes it easier for us to maybe see ourselves that way too.

Physical Touch

As humans, we have a variety of needs. Among those needs is a sense of love and belonging - and regular physical touch. The health benefits of physical touch are endless. In our society, we often reserve physical touch in adult relationships for romantic partners, and occasionally for close friends and family. Unfortunately, this leaves many of us touch-deprived, especially those of us who are single or in a long-distance relationship. In our increasingly digital world, we are simultaneously more and less connected than ever before - it’s easy for feelings of loneliness to creep in regardless of our relationship status. 

For me, there are few greater experiences than when my cat curls up on my chest. It is so simple and happens every day, and it’s always a highlight. It is so pure, so comforting, and it absolutely helps me hit my daily requirements for physical touch. 

Sense of Purpose

When you have a pet, you are their entire world. Even if you co-own a pet with other people, you are a massive part of their entire world. They will be sad when you’re away for too long, and overjoyed when you finally come home. Their favorite activity is just being near you! It might sound small to some, but there is an undeniable impact on the human psyche when we feel we have a sense of purpose - that we matter to someone other than ourselves. 

Things to Consider

Having a pet is a major commitment, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before looking for a pet, it’s important to consider whether or not you have the resources to do so. Do you travel frequently? Do you have daily time to take care of and nurture your pet? How often will you be away from your pet, and who will be able to keep them company while you’re gone? All of these factors can impact exactly what sort of pet you can get, as well as whether or not you’re ready for a pet at all. 

If for any reason you aren’t able to care for a pet at this time, don’t despair - there are still ways you can connect with animals! If you can’t get a pet, try spending time with the pets of friends and loved ones. Alternatively, you could pick up a side gig as a dog walker or pet sitter. Lastly, you can volunteer at your local animal shelter or humane society. These are all great ways to connect with both people and animals. 

I won’t pretend that getting a cat changed my life on its own. My journey to mental wellness could not have happened without consistent therapy, social support, and a whole lot of personal work. However, my sweet angel cat has also helped me more than he’ll ever know. Without even trying, he serves as a daily reminder that I am both loving and lovable. If you’ve been considering inviting a furry friend into your life, I strongly encourage it. If you already have a pet, make sure to give them an extra dose of love today. 

- Elizabeth Raps
Elizabeth is a musician and writer living in Athens, GA