[Animals] Why pets are good allies to combat loneliness

[#Steeven.™]

Having a pet helps counteract feelings of isolation and experience less anxiety and stress, especially in difficult situations such as those experienced in times of pandemic.

Many people who seek the company of a dog feel lonely for some reason and trust that this affectionate and playful pet can improve their mood.

For the scientist Frank Nestmann this is by no means a far-fetched idea. "There is no doubt that people who have pets are less lonely," said the specialist, who is part of a group of researchers at the Technical University of Dresden, in Germany, that studies the relationship between animals and humans .

Pets structure everyday life. According to Nestmann, these are good company and bring joy. "But, above all, they structure daily life, because the animal must be fed and cared for."

"In this way, the person feels useful and that, in turn, increases their own self-esteem," said Nestmann.

Also for Annette Rost, from the Berlin Animal Protection Association, it is very enriching that a lonely person lives with a domestic animal. This idea now comes up very frequently during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rost revealed that a large number of shelters, especially smaller ones, put up many animals for adoption at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Demand increased in times of pandemic

One of the animal shelters that has been in great demand is located in the town of Fulda Hünfeld, in the center of the country. "The demand for cats has increased above all," explained its director, Eva-Maria Stollberg.

According to Petra Karolewicz, a feline expert, this is because many people think that cats are easier to raise than dogs.

"But this is not true, especially if a cat is kept exclusively inside an apartment," said the expert from the consulting firm Catissimio in the city of Hamburg.

Your pet needs more than food, water, and regular vet visits. "Owners must meet the animal's needs for exercise, play and adventure," Karolewicz stressed. Otherwise, he adds, behavioral problems, illnesses, or even depression can arise.

Rost agrees with this statement. The pet owner also has to consider veterinary costs and who will be in charge of changing the cat litter for older people.

The bonding hormone

Although Nestmann is reluctant to compare the bond between humans and animals with the relationship between people, he believes that there is a similar phenomenon to the bond between mother and child: a bonding hormone is also released when a person cares for an animal.

In addition, the act of stroking and entertaining an animal is beneficial to health, for example, in the case of an older adult who has no other possibilities of experiencing the closeness and affection of another person.

But does this replace the closeness of another human being? “Yes and no!”, Responds Karolewicz. "Surely there are people who feel that. As long as that person and the animal feel comfortable this way, that's fine, ”he stressed.

Don't treat animals like humans

Rost, however, stressed that it is important to respect the needs of the animal. It must be treated like an animal and not like a human being.

“After all, a cat is still a cat and a dog is still a dog. And it would be sad if someone had their pet as their only social contact, "she added.

However, the animal shelter adds that just a pet can promote interpersonal communication. When you walk with the dog, you come into contact with other people much faster than when you walk alone.