Pet connect: Having pets in our lives helps lower blood pressure, reduces stress, increases blood oxytocin levels, and even lessens physical pain

Aamirah Thayibah

“My dog is like my child, except I don’t have to scream at him to get off the phone,” says Gayathri, a mother who recently adopted an indie to add a new member to the family during the lockdown. She’s not alone. Today, many treat their pets like family. The number of Indian households with pet dogs and cats in India, according to a 2018 survey was 17 million and 1.5 million respectively.

The bond between humans and animals goes back a long way. Starting as a working relationship between animal and owner, the human-animal bond has today evolved to that of emotional support and wellbeing. So much so, that some people insist on being called pet parents, and not pet owners. And why not? Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, increase blood oxytocin levels, and even lessen physical pain, according to research.

On the surface humananimal interaction looks like a practical exchange. Animals rely on their owners to provide them with food, drink, shelter, and care. Humans use them for farming, guarding, or travel. But now with modernisation the roles of animals have been replaced by machines. Now there is a different kind of relationship between domestic animals and their owners – the pet and the parent.

Companionship is one of the major reasons people opt for pets. Research shows that petting and interacting with companion animals can offer more relaxation and lower stress levels, and these benefits extend to people of all ages. “Growing up, I was an only child and we moved around a lot because of my dad’s work so my cat was one of the only constants in my life. She and I grew up together,” says Mina, who sees her nineyear-old cat with the same affection as she would a sibling.

Pets are a great way of teaching kids important life lessons surrounding compassion, responsibility, love and also, unfortunately, coping with grief at the loss of a loved one.

“Fur baby” is a term often used by owners to refer to their pets. With the rise of dual-income households, many millennials are also choosing to splurge over pets in the absence of children. While the specific reason may differ, there’s common ground in accepting that pets are often more agreeable than children.

As many women opt out of the traditional housewife role and pursue more career-driven pursuits, they realise that there is a significant disadvantage in having children in the middle of your career. This gap is filled by pets that give a feeling of camaraderie. Likewise, the rise of more nontraditional family systems has led to seeing individuals choose pets and use their disposable income spent on pet pamperings such as spas and retreats.

For Thiru, her four golden retrievers are what her days are structured around. As an elderly woman living in the city alone, her dogs not only give her a sense of security but also help her avoid isolating herself. “Each morning when I take my dogs on a walk I am greeted by shopkeepers, milkmen and other walkers who strike up a conversation with me out of curiosity about my dogs,” she says. Thiru says those moments of socialising are the highlight of her days.

While people with pets often are more healthy than those without, a pet does not have to be a dog or a cat. If you’re allergic to other animals or have limited room but still want a fuzzy pet to cuddle with, a rabbit might be the answer. If you’re an older adult, birds can help you maintain your mental sharpness by encouraging social engagement. Even seeing fish in an aquarium can help you relax and reduce your heart rate.

Although society is beginning to understand the benefits of the humananimal bond, it’s wise to note that each person’s relationship with their pet is unique and special. Some people treat their pet as if it were a kid, a family member, or a best friend. Others might look to their companion for emotional support, a link to the past, or even hope for the future. The unseen strength of the human-animal link is well known to anybody who has ever loved an animal.

Pet power
The power of the human-animal bond has been extensively studied but rarely debated. From Freud to modern Havard studies, pets have proved to be a great way to improve both your mental and physical health.

Pets can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and feelings of loneliness. Some studies have even demonstrated long term behavioural di erences in hardened criminals after continued interaction with animals. Some psychologists and other medical professionals also prescribe spending time with animals or even adopting an emotional support animal as a part of the treatment process. For those with physical disabilities, service dogs are crucial to help them perform day to day activities.