HEART HEALTH

FEBRUARY Heart Health Month

Love is a major theme in February – there are two days celebrating love for people and pets: Valentine’s Day and Love Your Pet day! Plus the WHOLE month of February is about hearts; American Heart Month is about promoting awareness about heart health and motivating people to make heart-healthy choices. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. There is a large body of evidence and studies that suggest that pets are good for our heart health. Including pets in making healthy lifestyle choices is important so that they can enjoy those same benefits.

One way pets help us is by encouraging more physical activity: Generally dog owners enjoy more of these benefits; however, cat owners are finding creative ways to engage their cats in maintaining an active lifestyle. Making sure our pets have an active life helps them in many ways. Physical activity or exercise is an important aspect of weight management. Obesity puts people and pets at a higher risk for heart disease.

Heart health is negatively affected by stress. Studies have shown that pets help relieve stress in people. It is sometimes called the “pet effect”. Pets have a calming effect on us. Sometimes we fail to recognize how stressful life can be for pets; excess noise, disruptions to schedules and holidays are stressors. Being aware of your pet’s stress levels, providing them with a safe place to retreat and, if possible, spending some “downtime” with them will have a “calming effect” on them.

Making healthy choices is something we can do for ourselves, for our pets and with our pets. Our pets are counting on us to make those choices to create healthier and happier lives for all of us!

Making healthy choices is something we can do for ourselves, for our pets and with our pets. Our pets are counting on us to make those choices to create healthier and happier lives for all of us!