animal world

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs

A common “ice breaker” question, the question of whether someone has a cat or a dog, is usually answered by a yes which is followed, most times, by detailed stories of the trouble their pet has gotten up to. With around 63% of US Households owning at least one pet, it is no doubt that our furry friends play an important role in our lives. While many argue that a cat or a dog is far too much work and far too much stress, however those that own pets know that while there is some work involved, it is worth it as pets truly make us happier. In fact a study done by the National Institute of Health found that out of 240 married couples, “those who owned a pet were found to have lower heart rates and blood pressure...than those without pets”. Not only this but they also found that when these people were with their pets they had calmer, milder responses, and their stress levels went down faster (“Can Pets Keep”). Although people argue that pets are too stressful the facts show that pets actually reduce stress. Another argument is that pets have too many negative externalities on others. While yes dogs poop in other people’s yards and in parks, and cats prevent people who are allergic from being able to see their loved, but by being a responsible pet owner these externalities can be significantly diminished. For example if people pick up their dogs poop it is no longer a negative externality and if cat owners keep a clean house the cat will only bother people with allergies to small extent. Clearly pets have both healthy benefits and, with responsible owners, less negative externalities than people think, but they also have a price tag on them. Pets are a private good, one not everyone can afford and if someone wants to have a pet they need to be aware of the financial impact it could have on them.

This idea that pets make us happier has even been picked up by pet product suppliers, see this commercial to see what Purina has to say about it view this video