Dogs may help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression for individuals

Pets are a perfect substitute for overcoming loneliness, some new studies explain.

Families are not the only ones who keep pets in their homes. Even professionals and single people have pets.

In a way, it may be that pets help lessen the lonely feeling for people or add a little joy to their lives. In fact, pets have shown to improve mood by helping individuals avoid anxiety and depression.

The mere presence of pets, particularly dogs, helps ease depressed people. It seems that dogs give out an aura that comforts and provides a steady and calming effect. Maybe it’s because of a dog’s serene exterior that it can invoke such a mood in people.

A recent study in the United States showed that having consistent interactions with dogs, even for just a few minutes a day, causes people to produce positive hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and proclatin. These hormones stimulate good and happy feelings that may help reduce depression levels.

Experts do explain that it is not all fun and games though. Pets are a lot of work, and in some cases, carry a significant financial burden.