Have you ever looked at an animal and smiled, felt your heart fill with joy when playing with a puppy, kitten or senior dog? Researchers have looked at whether owning a pet can reduce stress and the answer is a resounding YES! When you live with diabetes you know that life can be challenging at times, so finding ways to reduce stress is an important part of diabetes management.   

Let’s look at some ways that having a pet can improve your health

1. Patting a pet can reduce your blood pressure – think the rhythmic purring rhythm of a content cat.    
2. Focusing your attention on your pet is a form of mindfulness. For example, watching your goldfish swim or even cleaning out the tank can be a meditative process. Sometimes something as simple as sharing a seed with your pet budgie can have a huge impact on your emotional health. Looking after your pet can move your focus away from negative thoughts.   
3. Interacting with your pet can reduce feelings of loneliness. Caring for an animal and knowing that it needs you, may reduce feelings of isolation.   
4. Often your pet needs regular physical activity and, of course, so do you. Taking your dog for a walk or entertaining your cat can be a way to increase fitness levels for both of you. Go for a brisk walk with your dog, or take it in a carrier on your bike ride.  
5. Meeting others with pets can increase your levels of social interaction. Have you noticed that if you walk your dog, you are more likely to interact with others? Or perhaps join a club for pet owners to learn, talk about and show off your beloved pet?
6. Having an animal to care for gives you more purpose in life. For example, caring for your horse, grooming it and going for frequent rides can give you purpose and help you to feel more content.  

Therapy dogs

Dogs can be trained to be companions and assist their owners physically and mentally. Smart Pups in Queensland and Guide Dogs in NSW are organisations that have therapy dog programs. Some dogs can be trained to identify when their owner is having high or low blood glucose. If you would like more information, go to Paws for Diabetics Inc.

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, and a big financial commitment. A pet needs a considerable amount of care, including a safe environment to live in, healthy food, appropriate activities, access to vaccinations, health checks and social interaction. It’s not a responsibility to be taken lightly. But the rewards can be life-changing, and you may gain an incredible amount of joy, improve your health and increase your quality of life.   

Monica McDaniel-Wong, Credentialled Diabetes Educator