Pets are heart-healthy option for people

By Dr. Beth Leermakers

Animals are good for the mind, body and soul. Studies have shown that spending time with dogs, cats, fish and horses reduces stress and blood pressure. Interacting with animals increases several happiness chemicals, including endorphins (natural painkillers), oxytocin (the love hormone) and serotonin (a mood stabilizer). 

To take advantage of these heart health and other benefits: 

Adopt a dog (or love the one you’re with). The American Heart Association (AHA) lists 16 research-backed ways that adopting dogs can be good for your heart, including a few compelling statistics: Dog owners are 31 percent less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than non-dog owners. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly have 1/3 the risk of diabetes, compared to people who don’t have a dog. People with prior heart events (e.g., heart attack) who had a dog had a 65 percent reduced risk of death. Dog parents are 34 percent more likely to meet the AHA physical activity recommendations (150 minutes of walking per week) than non dog owners.

Walking your dog for the recommended 30 minutes every day can improve your cardiovascular fitness and increase endorphins, giving you that runner’s high. Plus, sun exposure boosts serotonin levels, giving you extra bang for your dog walking buck. 

Snuggle with your kitty. Cats also provide multiple mental and physical health benefits. Research has shown that cat owners are less likely to have a stroke than any other pet owner. Researchers speculate that this is due to cats being lower maintenance than other pets. One University of Minnesota Stroke Institute study found that people who do not own cats are 30-40 percent more likely to die of heart attacks than people who do. 

Cats have a calming, anti-anxiety effect. Petting your cat releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone (or “cuddle chemical”) that makes you feel less stressed. Studies have found that cat parents have lower blood pressure and resting heart rate. The sound of your cat’s purr can lower your blood pressure and calm your nerves. According to one study, cat owners were better able to respond to challenges without feeling overwhelmed or threatened. Other studies have shown that sleeping with a cat (especially one that purrs and cuddles) improves people’s sleep.

Watch birds. Birdwatching provides several physical and mental health benefits. Walking several miles to spot elusive birds improves cardiovascular fitness, and holding heavy binoculars increases arm strength (seriously). Being in nature improves mood, psychological well-being, mental health and cognitive functioning. Being with nature, especially on sunny days, boosts serotonin (aka “the happy chemical”). 

Here are a few ways to relax — or exercise — with animals, even if you don’t have pets of your own. 

Foster a dog or cat for a shelter or rescue group. There are many opportunities to foster an animal for a few days, weeks, or until adopted (can take several months). Visit bedallas90.org/home/foster/ to learn about fostering for Dallas Animal Services. Several rescue groups — including passportforpaws.org and societyforcompanionanimals.org need short-term foster homes, sometimes for as little as one night. 

Walk or run with shelter dogs. Dallas Animal Services and Garland Animal Services need volunteers to exercise their high-energy dogs.  Burn calories and release endorphins while improving a shelter dog’s chances of being adopted. Visit bedallas90.org/home/volunteer-opportunities/ to sign up for the D90 Dog Runners and D90 Dog Strollers at Dallas Animal Services. Visit garlandtx.gov/3873/Volunteer-Programs to learn about walking or running with the Garland shelter dogs. The brand new Garland shelter opens on February 11 at the new location (1902 State Highway 66). 

 Volunteer with the PetSmart Cat Program (Greenville Ave. PetSmart). The SPCA needs people to feed, clean cages, socialize and help process adoptions for the cats. volunteermatch.org/search/opp3379753.jsp. 

Cuddle kitties at the Casual Cat Café in Richland Hills. Social cats are available for adoption, so you can take one home if you fall in love (but probably not the same day; processing the adoptions takes time). Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa and a sweet treat to increase dopamine (the reward chemical that makes you feel good). There is an admission fee (includes complimentary drinks and snacks) for entrance to the cat lounge, where you can snuggle the kitties. thecasualcatcafe.com/ 

Connect with nature and help with wildlife conservation. Audubon Dallas, a nonprofit volunteer-based organization, supports and promotes the conservation of birds and other wildlife. Audubon Dallas manages Cedar Ridge Preserve, an amazing 600-acre natural habitat with nine miles of hiking trails and spectacular views from the top of a limestone escarpment. They offer classes, lectures, nature walks and other activities. audobondallas.org. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!