February is all about love, we just celebrated Valentine's Day and now, on February 20th, it's time to shower our pets with extra affection—National Love Your Pet Day! Whether you have a cat, bunny, dog, horse, fish, or something else entirely, it's a day to celebrate them.
It seems like there are almost as many pets in the US as people. They're everywhere, living in our homes or nearby. And it's not just a few either, turns out about 66% of homes have a pet, with almost all of them – nearly all of those owners seeing them as a core part of the family.
So, who's the most popular?
Are cats really in charge, and do dogs actually slobber that much? Well, don't let the cats hear this, but more people own dogs than cats. But maybe that's because, let's be honest, sometimes it feels like cats are the ones who own us, right?
Cat lovers, we just understand each other and honestly, my dog-loving friends get it too. They might not be as crazy about cats as we are, but they understand what it's like to have a best friend who's a completely different species. We all know that our pets are way more than just “a cat” or “a dog” They're family. I understand that my cats are not “just cats”, and my dog lovers' friends understand that their dogs are not “just dogs”.
No matter if you're a cat person, a dog person, or love another kind of animal, this Thursday is all about giving them some extra love. Although we probably treat them well every day, it's a good excuse to do something really special for our pets.
The Story Behind National Love Your Pet Day
The exact beginning of National Love Your Pet Day is a bit of a mystery, but it's thought that animal behaviorist Colleen Paige started it back in 2006. Her goal was to encourage pet owners to celebrate the special connection they have with their animals. Even if you don't have a pet of your own, you can still participate by helping to spread awareness about the many animals in shelters who are waiting for a loving home.
Since then, National Love Your Pet Day has grown into a worldwide party for all kinds of animals, whether they're covered in scales, fur, or feathers. On this day, people like to treat their pets to something extra special, like a healthy natural snack, cat scratchers, some extra playtime, or maybe just a few more snuggles.
We Need Them, They Need Us…
Our pets give us this amazing, no-strings-attached kind of love that we humans need. But it's not just about the warm fuzzies. It's the fact that they're always there to cheer you up when you're sad or feeling alone that makes having a pet actually make you feel less stressed and worried.
The bonuses don't end there – they often get us off the couch and out for some exercise, maybe even meeting new people at the park. And I think we can all agree that they're always making us laugh with their funny antics.
It makes you think, who needs who more? Do they need us as much as we need them? That's the cool thing about the special connection we have with our pets. It goes both ways.
The Question of Pets and Health
It turns out that having a pet, especially a cat or a dog, might be good for your heart. About ten years ago, the American Heart Association put out a report suggesting that owning a dog might lower your risk of heart problems. It seems that having a pet helps keep your blood pressure down and can even help people who already have high blood pressure manage it better.
How does this happen? Well, pets seem to have a way of calming us down and reducing our stress levels.
While there's not as much proof that cat owners have lower blood pressure, dog owners often have lower resting heart rates, along with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to people who don't have dogs.
Of course, it makes you wonder if having a dog actually makes you healthier, or are healthier people just more likely to get dogs in the first place? Scientists try to consider all the different factors that could play a role, but it's not always easy to know for sure.
Do Cats Really Benefit Our Health?
Cats might wake us up way too early and seem to have a habit of barfing in the most inconvenient places. Yet, despite all that, a lot of us – around 10 and 30%, by most estimates – call ourselves “cat people” not just dog people, and not even those who love both equally.
So, why do we bring these little sweethearts into our homes and spend over a grand a year on something that isn't related to us and who acts like we’re not doing them a favor most of the time?
For me, and probably for any true cat lover, the answer is simple— we don't need some science study to justify our love for them. But, scientists being scientists, they've looked into it anyway. And it turns out that, while cats may not be great for our furniture, they might actually be pretty good for our health, both physically and mentally.
Cat Owners Might Be Happier Than Those Without Pets
When asked in surveys, cat owners often report feeling less anxious, more cheerful, and more self-assured. They also say that they sleep better, are better able to focus, and are better equipped to deal with life's challenges.
Having a cat can also be a good thing for kids. One study with over 2,200 young people in Scotland showed that those who felt close to their cats had a better quality of life. The stronger their bond with their cat, the more fit, energetic, and focused they felt. They also tended to feel less sad and lonely and enjoyed their time more whether they were relaxing or at school.
Cats, with their funny acrobatics and strange sleeping positions, can also be great at helping us snap out of a bad mood. Studies have shown that people with cats tend to experience fewer negative feelings and loneliness compared to those who don't have cats. Interestingly, single people with cats actually reported feeling less down in the dumps compared to people who had both a cat and a partner.
Even just watching cat videos online can make us feel better! People who watch cat videos tend to report feeling less annoyed, anxious, and sad afterward, instead, they feel more hopeful and content.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about why we love our pets so much, and how important they are to our lives. As we celebrate National Love Your Pet Day, let's spread the love and encourage others to consider adopting a furry, scaled, or feathered friend into their lives, if they can do so.
One great way to do that is to share your own pet story or adorable photos on social media using the hashtag #NationalLoveYourPetDay. You could share the first time you met your pet, talk about any early challenges you faced, or even just a favorite story that you’ll always treasure.
Showing how much joy your pet brings to your life is a great way to show others what a special bond it can be. And, of course, don't forget to give your pet an extra hug today.
Happy National Love Your Pet Day, everyone!
Hilde & Phil Team.
