I have certainly had my share of pets over the past 71 years. Growing up, we had a series of dogs, mostly cockapoos. There were more than a few who knew how to tunnel under the backyard gate and end up blocks away. We had a dog named Rex that was always getting empty vegetable cans stuck on his nose. One father and son duo were epileptic, and we hid their medication in a bite of lunch meat and cheese. They loved the snack but spat the pills back out.
In later life, I became the cat woman with an all-time high of six cats in a one-room shack. Morris liked to peer down at whoever was in the shower, and Skippy needed to go to the vet to have his fighting injuries treated. We didn’t have a bathroom door, so our Siamese cat, Blue, would leap onto the lap of whoever was on the toilet. Mouse liked to go outside, and if I wasn’t fast enough, she would scratch me until I got the message. Buster loved to lap sit, and Tigger would throw a fit if he couldn’t be with his sister, Mouse.
There are numerous benefits to having a pet, especially if you have chronic pain. According to the National Institutes of Health, “having pets may reduce psychological distress and pain catastrophizing by promoting distraction, relaxation, and pleasant activities.” (Reid, 2016)
How pets can ease chronic pain:
Pets Motivate You to Get Active
Chronic pain often curtails the motivation to get up and move. Caring for a pet can provide that motivation. Pets require care, so staying in bed is not an option. Feeding is a definite requirement, and depending on the type of pet, walking, brushing, and cleaning the living quarters may also be necessary. These things require physical movement, which improves strength and flexibility, helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces joint pain, and promotes better sleep.
Pets Reduce Feelings of Loneliness
How many times have you needed a shoulder to cry on? Caring for a pet can reduce or even prevent feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression that often accompany chronic pain. Because depression can worsen chronic pain, controlling or managing it is essential.
Pets Reduce Stress
I remember my cats on my lap, hearing the purring noise, which was so relaxing. Petting an animal can reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream. When you are more relaxed, your muscles are less achy, and you can view your problems more clearly.
Pets Keep Your Mind Off Pain
Having a distraction can often help reduce pain. Spending time with a feathered friend, teaching a dog a new trick, or playing with a kitten are good examples of distractions.
Have you seen all the cute toys for dogs and cats? Give dogs toys that squeak. Puzzle toys have a reward inside, but your pet has to work hard to get it. Cats like to hide, so this bungalow doubles as a place to chill out or engage in a game of hide and seek with you. Fishing poles with feathers or stuffed fish provide hours of amusement for both of you.
Final Thoughts
It doesn’t matter what type of pet you get. There are plenty of rescue animals that need homes. Veterinarians can help you better understand a potential pet’s needs and how they may or may not be compatible with your family’s lifestyle. It’s a win-win situation. Providing a pet with a good home may lead to a reduction in your chronic pain symptoms.
