Pets are an integral part of our lives. A dog’s sweet eyes or a cat’s enthusiastic purrs are enough to melt any animal lover’s heart. Yesterday, Sunday, February 20th was national Love Your Pet Day. Since we always love to celebrate our pets let’s take a moment and reflect on what makes them so special.
Use the hashtag #Benefabloveyourpetday on social media to show off your furry friends.
Benefits of Pets
While mud, dander, and loads of hair might become a bigger part of your life, most would agree that the benefits of pets far outweigh the downsides. Health studies have repeatedly shown the positive effects dogs have on children with Autism or ADHD.
Web MD reported that pet owners have lower blood pressure, boosted allergy immunity, and decreased depression. Pets have also been shown to have a stress-reducing power. Whether it’s the deep tissue compression from them laying on you or the endorphins you get from exercising them, pets have several ways to boost your mood and bring joy to your day.
History of Pets
People have kept pets for thousands of years, and the domestication of animals is one of the earliest ‘human’ traits recorded. Dogs were the first domesticated species and the only animal known to enter into a domestic relationship with people. Early humans selectively bred dogs for certain traits, such as a white coat in shepherd’s dogs to differentiate them from wolves at night.
Cats were likely drawn to human civilizations due to the rat populations and are thought to have been domesticated around 7,500 B.C. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians worshiped cats and lavished them with jewels, treats, and even mummified them when they passed away.
More exotic pets such as reptiles and fish started being domesticated during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in China. Fish were selectively bred for color by the Chinese and Koi fish still represent good fortune in the country today. Exotic pets may have originated in China, but their modern spotlight came in the mid-1900s, people became interested in more unique pets.
Fun Facts About Pets
- Dogs can tell time
- Cats meow at people to communicate
- Dogs have unique nose prints
- Cats have four rows of whiskers
- Dogs have unique nose prints
- Cats have no collarbone, which allows them to be extra flexible
- Greyhounds can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour
- Cats have more than 100 vocal sounds, while dogs have about ten
- Puppies are born deaf
- Cats sleep for around 70% of their day
- A dog’s sense of smell is 1000 times greater than a human
- Scientific studies have shown that dogs get jealous when their owners show love towards other animals.
How to Make Your Pet Feel Loved
We hope you take every chance you can to make your pet feel loved and appreciated. Here are some ways you can show them how much you care everyday:
- Spend time with them
- Give your pet a massage
- Teach them a new trick with treats
- Talk to them
- Cuddle with them
- Let them spend time with other animals
- Give them a treat-dispensing toy
- Show your dog love with Benefab® Canine Products
Don't forget to use the hashtag #Benefabloveyourpetday on social media to show off your furry BFF!
