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Pets and Your Health

    The Healing Power of Pets

    Keeping an animal companion does wonders for your health, lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol, boosting your immunity and mental well-being and even helping you live longer.

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    Get in Shape with Your Pet

    A dog can make staying active more fun.

    Get moving!

    Exercising with Your Dog

    Pets Heal the Mind

    Spending time with a pet is a proven way to relieve stress and lift your spirits. Studies have found that pet owners feel less lonely, are more socially active, have better self-esteem and handle negative feelings better than people who don’t have pets.

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    How Pets Can Make You Sick

    Pets and Allergies

    Get Healthy-Living Support!

    Get support from other pet owners on the health topics that matter most to you.

    Join the Pet Appreciation Group

    Find Online Inspiration

    THIS Causes Pet Allergies
    (Hint: It's Not Fur)

    Find out

    Pet Quiz

    See how you and your pet can stay healthy together     		Up to 97%
    That’s how accurately trained dogs
    can detect early cancers
    Michael Roizen, MD
    View all experts

    Pets & Your Health Q&As

    Dawn Marcus, MD
    Dawn Marcus, MD
    Neurology
    		 Q

    How can owning a dog help my heart? 
    A

    A survey of the population in New South Wales concluded that dog walking could provide substantial benefits for reducing heart disease. Researchers predicted that if all dog owners began walking their dogs for 150 minutes a week…


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    Q Is it true that hypoallergenic pets don't cause allergy Q What are the health benefits for seniors of owning a dog?
    Q How can pets disrupt my sleep? Q Can dogs detect peanuts for kids with peanut allergies?
    Q How can owning a pet improve my romantic relationship? Q What is cat-scratch disease?
    Q What can pets teach us about life? Q Can contact with a pet reptile or amphibian cause Salmonella infection?
    Q Does pet therapy help improve nutrition in Alzheimer's patients? Q Will my cat smother my baby?

    Be Like Your Dog

    Believe it or not, you can learn healthy habits by watching your dog. (Just don’t drink from the toilet.) Try these four.


    Drink More Water
    Stop Boredom Snacking
    Leave Leftovers Alone
    Keep Moving

    Connect with an Expert

    Michael Roizen, MD
    Michael Roizen, MD
    Internal Medicine
    Cleveland Clinic
    Robin Miller, MD
    Robin Miller, MD
    Integrative Medicine
    Triune Integrative Medicine

    Find an expert in your area

     

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    Stop Sneezing – Get Allergy Relief
    Are You Depressed? Get Help Now

    Blog

    That Labradoodle May Not Be Hypoallergenic After All
    By Sean Kelley

    Cross-bred dogs like Labradoodles and Schnoodles are popular because they shed less than other dogs and are thought to be safer for people with allergies and asthma. But are they worth the high cost? Research suggests they may not be.  


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    Quiz

    Quiz

    Choosing a Family Pet

    Thinking of getting a new pet? Great! Before you adopt, learn what types of pets may be best suited for your family.


    Take the quiz

    Blog

    Lucy, My Exercise
    Secret Weapon
    By Robin Miller, MD

    I love to walk. But now that the weather is getting cold and wet, I just want to stay inside under a blanket. Fortunately, I have someone who will not let me do that. She is relentless and she pesters me until I get off the couch. Her name is Lucy, and she is a German shepherd basset hound mix . . . 


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    Related Topics

    • Fitness • Respiratory Allergies
    • Walking • Allergies
    • Stress • Anxiety
    • Depression • Weight Loss

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