Balancing the pressures and responsibilities of modern living can take its toll on our mental and physical health, and there are all sorts of strategies suggested to deal with the stresses and strains we put ourselves through on a daily basis.

The good news is that one of the most effective options is to own a pet, so if you are already looking after a furry, feathered or scaled companion at home, or thinking about taking the leap, this is scientifically proven to deliver a range of benefits. Here is a look at just some of the proven perks of pet ownership.

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Pets provide emotional support

Everyone knows that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you interact with an animal and it shows affection. It is this unconditional emotional bond which makes them so valuable from a mental health perspective, and studies have shown that this can improve your happiness and even reduce the impact of conditions such as depression and anxiety.

This is also why the prevalence of emotional support animals (ESAs) has increased in recent years. Differing from service animals in that they require no special training, ESAs are nevertheless invaluable in terms of the benefits they offer to their owners in a range of everyday contexts.

Once you find out how to get an ESA, this could be a good route to take yourself, as with the right documentation it is possible to bring your pet into lots more public spaces than would otherwise be possible. Likewise you could be eligible to keep an animal in rented accommodation where it might otherwise be outlawed, since ESAs benefit from certain exemptions so long as requirements are met.

Pets can enhance social skills

Another advantageous side effect of pet ownership is that it can have a positive impact on your social life.

As well as helping you to learn to be responsible for another living creature, owning a pet will unlock all sorts of interactions with other people that might otherwise never have occurred.

From taking a dog for a walk and crossing paths with other owners who obviously share the same interests as you, to being able to discuss the ownership of all sorts of other animals when you are at social gatherings, pets can be the ice breaker you need to build relationships and avoid awkwardness.

Pets can improve your physical health

Staying active is a challenge for some people, and often it is more an issue of being able to motivate yourself to complete your exercise routine or head to the gym when you have the free time.

Rather than relying on your own willpower, a pet provides you with the perfect excuse to actually integrate some physical exertion into your regular routine.

Dogs are obviously the most suitable candidate for anyone who feels like they are currently falling short in terms of their physical health targets, although you also need to be realistic about just how much time you can afford to assign to walks each day, and choose a breed accordingly.

Pets can protect against isolation

Lastly, feeling isolated is a thoroughly modern issue, one which stems from the loneliness of living in a digital age when face-to-face interactions with others are less common and often entirely optional.

Pets prevent isolation from taking its toll, whether you live alone in the middle of a busy city or you are based in a remote rural area. They give us the strength and support to live our lives as we see fit, with companionship and care that is indispensable to millions of people.

It’s important to know that you can also take care of dogs as well as cats together. Visit Dogblog for a guide to introducing a cat to your dog.