Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the U.S, affecting a staggering 40 million adults.
Therapy pets are known to improve your outlook on life, decrease loneliness, reduce the risk of anxiety attacks. Perhaps you’re looking for a new companion to help calm your nerves. Sound familiar? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are the five best pets for anxiety.
1. Dogs
Those who have kids with anxiety should adopt a pup. Dogs are excellent because they offer physical contact, endless love, and give owners a sense of security. It’s important to find a dog breed that’s outgoing, loyal, and confident so it relieves anxiety in the owner. The best breeds for this include golden retrievers, border collies, and Pomeranians.
Many owners may use hemp-based products to handle their anxiety which means CBD and pets go hand-in-hand thanks to their healing properties.
2. Birds
One of the best animals to offer emotional support are birds. Many work to help those suffering from anxiety because they’re empathetic and in tune with their surroundings. Because of this, birds can sense stress, tension, and ease anxiety by doing a funny dance move or saying something.
Parrots and other exotic birds are great but if you don’t have the cash, why not get some therapy chickens for the backyard?
3. Fish
Research has found that watching fish in an aquarium decreases your blood pressure and heart rate. This explains why so many dental surgeries and waiting rooms have aquariums because they ease their patients’ anxiety.
Fish make fantastic therapy pets especially vibrant colored ones. Don’t worry if you don’t have the know-how to set up your aquarium, head to your local one, and spot a variety of species so you enjoy the calming benefits.
4. Rabbits
Bunnies make fantastic therapy pets as they’re gentle, affectionate, and have long-lasting bonds with their owners.
Anxiety patients should shower them with love as playing with your pet boosts your dopamine and serotonin levels, making you feel relaxed. Plus, rabbits need little space, perfect for apartment dwellers.
5. Horses
Dating back to Ancient Greece, working with horses helps alleviates anxiety symptoms. Known as equine-assisted psychotherapy, patients focus entirely on their horse by grooming, feeding, and leading the horse while being supervised by a mental health professional.
Equine-assisted psychotherapy is successful because horses mirror our behavior so this ensures patients are self-aware and return to the present moment instead of succumbing to negative thoughts.
Those Are the Best Pets for Anxiety
Now you know the best pets for anxiety.
Playing with pets has proven advantages whether it’s watching fish flit by to snuggling with a rabbit. Having an animal not only gives you confidence but it lowers blood pressure and boosts your mood. But before choosing a therapy pet, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider as they’ll be able to suggest the best animal for your case.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out our posts on everything from Advertising to CBD.
