August is National Wellness Month, making it an opportune time to discuss health and well-being. Overall health is directly related to oral health so taking measures to stay healthy can help your mouth!
According to an article in Today’s FDA (Florida Dental Association), 68% of U.S. households own at least one pet, and 98% of pet owners consider their pet to be a family member. Whether you prefer fur, feathers, or scales, owning a pet brings joy and contentment, and the health benefits are a huge perk!
Companionship: You’re never alone with a pet in your home! Let’s be honest, sometimes we prefer spending time with animals over human interaction. Our pets show unconditional love and support. They listen to us vent and don’t talk back, which is sometimes all we need.
Exercise: Whether you’re walking your dog, cat, or iguana, you’re getting exercise, which does the body good. Some dogs even make great running partners. Leading an active lifestyle is beneficial to both you and your pet, so it’s a win-win.
Healthy stats: Our beloved pets are known to help decrease blood pressure and lower cholesterol. That’s good news for your heart! WebMD states that heart attack survivors and people with cardiac problems who own dogs have a longer life expectancy.
Immunity: Pets can help boost our immunity to allergies and asthma. Studies have shown that young children with a dog in the home are at lower risk for developing food allergies. Researchers believe that “dog dust” can help the gut microbes that play a large role in allergies.
Mental health: Poor mental health can take a toll on your life. Having a pet can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Simply petting an animal helps the body release relaxation hormones, which can put your stress and worries at ease.
Service and comfort: Service animals (usually dogs) can improve the quality of life and potentially save the life of someone with a serious health problem. Service animals help lead the blind, assist those with physical handicaps, alert diabetics of low blood sugar, warn epileptics of a seizure, and calm those with PTSD.
Socialization: When you see a cute dog, it’s hard not to stop and pet it. This situation encourages social interaction among people. Dog walking can be a great ice breaker for starting a new friendship or relationship. Not to mention a day at the dog park can be great socialization for your pup too.
Keeping Your Pet Healthy
In return for all of the benefits they bring us, it’s important that we take proper care of our pets to keep them happy and healthy. That means a healthy diet, exercise, and routine check-ups at the vet. It’s also important to get them medical help when they get injured or sick. Just like people, pets need to practice good oral hygiene habits. It’s the owner’s responsibility to brush their pet’s teeth and even get them professionally cleaned by a board-certified veterinarian.
While we are big animal lovers at Berger Dental, we only offer dental care to humans. If you are interested in making an appointment, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.