Comments on Cranky Fitness: Are Pets Good for Your Health?

Peripatetic-- Thanks! And yep, she's just starte...

2009-05-26T14:54:17.285-04:00

Peripatetic--

Thanks!

And yep, she's just started on thyroid meds... it's been less than a week so it's too early to tell, but we have our fingers crossed that it will help her feel better.

We'd suspected thyroid issues before, but her blood work came back negative. Now that it's shown up we at least have some ammunition!

Though she has pretty bad arthritis as well, poor thing.

Oh, I should add- our family cat did the bellowing...

2009-05-26T14:49:56.255-04:00

Oh, I should add- our family cat did the bellowing thing a lot the last few years, and it turned out it was a symptom of her hyperthryroidism. Something to get checked if your cat is doing this. I mean, it could just be a symptom of cathood, too, and hyperthyroidism sucks in terms of having to give pills to resistant cats, but it is a relatively easy to treat thing that could make your old cat feel better.

Well, health benefits are the least of the benefit...

2009-05-26T10:03:07.614-04:00

Well, health benefits are the least of the benefits you get from pet ownership- otherwise I would ditch the dog and buy a gym membership- to a FANCY gym. And probably still save money. But dogs, at least, sure do get you moving every day. We are having a fitness competition at work, where we measure time rather than intensity, and everyone keeps asking what the heck I am DOING to get so many points. And I say (honestly) an hour a day most days on the elliptical, plus I own a dog and dont have a yard, which is nearly always good for another hour and a half a day walking time, minimum. Regardless of my mood or what I would rather be doing. It's easy to skip the elliptical when I am tired. It is almost impossible to ignore a dog who needs his walk.

I hope Moo rallies! They are work and lots of it...

2009-05-25T15:30:17.664-04:00

I hope Moo rallies!

They are work and lots of it, but I can't imagine being without my cats. They make us laugh and a purr is priceless. Though I admit it, when a fly got in the house yesterday, I thought "Oh good, they'll be happily occupied while I go work in the yard." It's hard to find time to play with them every day.

I think the health benefits are from laughing and smiling so much! You just can't think unhappy thoughts when looking at your happy kitties napping peacefully!

And to think the allergist said I was allergic to cats when I was a child. I had a cat anyway, she slept in my bed against the allergist's advice. I sniffled every morning, but I guess I grew out of it, 'cuz now I don't.

Happiness is a warm kitty!

I love my Mocha. We inspire and motivate one anoth...

2009-05-24T21:46:14.329-04:00

I love my Mocha. We inspire and motivate one another lol.

Cats, dogs, whatever - a house without a pet doesn...

2009-05-24T04:52:00.797-04:00

Cats, dogs, whatever - a house without a pet doesn't feel like home to me. And I agree completely with the viewer who raved over poodles. They're such a great dog. I used to have 5 min poodles (along with the pig dogs, it made for a weird household!)

Snuggles to your old cat, Crabby.

All the best with your cat, 18 is a good age! I lo...

2009-05-24T03:23:02.651-04:00

All the best with your cat, 18 is a good age!
I love cats and refused to marry my pet-less husband unless a cat moved in with us too.
Fuzzy (cat not husband) was my first baby and my kids have learned a respect and love animals too. It's been good to teach them that animals have feelings too.

I love animals and they can do wonderful things fo...

2009-05-23T05:40:19.589-04:00

I love animals and they can do wonderful things for our health, but when I recently took care of my mums cat, the fur everywhere gave me a panic attack. So I think I'll stay away from keeping pets for a while, heh.

It's hard watching our pets decline, but still wor...

2009-05-22T23:40:59.020-04:00

It's hard watching our pets decline, but still worth having them. I never had anything but gerbils and fish as a kid, have had cats ever since. I'm thinking about getting a dog, since my landlord is okay with it. I'm attached to his dog, who is almost 16, has some kidney problems, is getting REALLY skinny. My first cat got really skinny and died, so I'm also afraid she won't be around much longer. She's been my good friend for a few years now, it makes me very sad. My cat is middle aged, usually I have two, but after almost not finding a place to live with two cats, I'm afraid in case I have to move again. Of course, a dog is even harder. I wish my dad would get a dog, but my mom says she'll leave if he does. Even more reason to get one, in my opinion.

Firstly: TRICIA! THE POODLE!!!!! Poodles are hal...

2009-05-22T20:17:57.432-04:00

Firstly:

TRICIA! THE POODLE!!!!!

Poodles are half cat, half person and they are (especially standards) dignified, loyal, and extremely intelligent dogs with marvelous senses of humor. They have an exceptionally good nature (I'm not counting toys, but many are good dogs). Standard Poodles are head turners too, Dobies, eh, they can scare people. Poodles are excellent at watching your property and bond tightly with their family, but don't have the potential to snap that the Dobies do. They're generally very trustworthy with young kids too, who tend to grab at dog's faces and necks, which to a dog is attack or dominance.

They are truly about the best of the dog world. I'm predjudiced, I've had 5. I've also had German shepherds, Doxies, a pit mix, a Springer/Cocker Spaniel mix, a Norwegian Elkhound (a terrible dog), an Irish Setter, and a Lab. The Poodles all hands down had the best personalities and they are terribly codependent people pleasers, making them generally very well behaved. They do like lying on the top of the back of the couch though, very cat like. Mine does all sorts of tricks and taught himself to jump in the bathtub if he was going to puke or have to poop if he couldn't get outside. People think I am kidding when I say half cat, but that's awfully smart! I'd rather rinse and bleach the tub than clean the carpet!

I've trained him to use his own natural mouthiness (they are water retrievers) to pick up stuff I drop and hand it too me, which will be even greater as I get older. He picks up my glasses, papers, water bottles, post-its, his leash, whatever. He loves having jobs to do. He's the official sock sorter for laundry time, he pulls them out of the dryer for me too.

Plus the hugs and kisses and lap time are incredible stress relievers. If I can't sleep I just pull him into my arms, we snuggle up and off to dreamland we both go, and he won't move until I wake up.

I don't need to take the test, he's the truest bud I'll ever have.

And Crabby, just love on that Moo as much as you can. 18 for a cat is doing something right!

I was not an animal lover till I got married and m...

2009-05-22T17:44:05.701-04:00

I was not an animal lover till I got married and my husband insisted we get a cat. I fought falling in love with that darn cat for quite some time but now I can't imagine life without her AND now I have a second cat I love just as much. I think my cats have a strong part to play in my current good health (I had some pretty serious health issues BC(before cats) and the love and joy they give me is priceless.

My furbabies have definitely impacted my physical ...

2009-05-22T17:02:36.841-04:00

My furbabies have definitely impacted my physical AND mental health. Some of them have brought such joy (and sorrow when they passed), others sheer hell. I have scars all over my body from bites and scratches. The property damage makes me cry sometimes. And our newest cat--the orange monster--is so spazzy and needy that I have to work my morning schedule around him.

But, I figure the damage doesn't come anywhere close to what I would have to put up with if I had kids. Nope.

my cat died in september, so all i have left are T...

2009-05-22T17:00:19.394-04:00

my cat died in september, so all i have left are The Big Black Dogs. they are very frustrating, mostly due to my husband's constant complaints. left on our own, we are much happier.

"I love any study that says something I'm already ...

2009-05-22T16:33:37.609-04:00

"I love any study that says something I'm already doing is good for me."

To this, I say, "Amen, sister!"

For me, it would feel somehow wrong not to live with a cat.

My wife and I have two Beagles; rescued, of course...

2009-05-22T14:16:17.646-04:00

My wife and I have two Beagles; rescued, of course. They bring such joy to our lives that I can't imagine life without them. Bottom line; there's nothing bad about pets, they're pure love.

Wow, I love hearing all these pet stories! And it...

2009-05-22T14:10:22.668-04:00

Wow, I love hearing all these pet stories!

And it's interesting to hear how many older cats do the bellowing thing... ours was always a quiet thing, with a very polite, subdued, sweet voice. Now she's a drunken, ill-tempered sailor on shore leave until she snaps out of it a few minutes later. (Only to schedule repeat performances throughout the day).

(Oh, and Amy I have a similar nightmare--that I've somehow "forgotten" I had a bunch of cats, and I feel terrible that I haven't fed them for weeks and can't even find half of them. Sigh).

I never grew up with a dog. 6 years ago, we inher...

2009-05-22T14:03:27.522-04:00

I never grew up with a dog. 6 years ago, we inherited my Aunts dog after she suffered a stroke and was unable to keep him in her new apt. He is the sweetest thing and I don't know what we would do with out him. He has his own personality, his own little quirks and attitude. Its great entertainment and company for all of us!

As to whether its good/bad for your health-ehh. To each there own. I've always heard elderly people enjoying pets for the companionship. I even know a few stories of friends grandma's who are unable to have pets because its against their condo rules. Well wouldn't you know they go get a doctor's note saying they need the pet for health purposes. I was hysterical when I heard that, I really thought I was in an episode of Seinfeld! (its against Del Boca Vista's rules! hehe)

First, the pics & quiz..too funny! I had every kin...

2009-05-22T14:01:37.234-04:00

First, the pics & quiz..too funny! I had every kind of pet & more under the sun growing up. My poor parents but they loved them too! We lived back east with land & room for them so it was different.

Here in CA where I live, really not a lot of room for animals. My hubby is allergic to cats so.. and we also are not home owners so that stops us too. BUT, when I was working umpteen hours, I would not have wanted to put an animal thru that. Now, really can't have them due to circumstances & can't afford it either. BUT, if I could, the health thing would not matter to me... it would be just because I wanted one & nothing else. I see how much joy they bring to other people.. beyond that Dam* dog that took 5 bites out of me last year!

Yeah, the studies cannot be accurate - people with...

2009-05-22T13:14:23.618-04:00

Yeah, the studies cannot be accurate - people with better, larger homes can afford pets while some in smaller, rented housing can't have them. Surely those people in smaller,rented housing are poorer and therefore less healthy. Hmmmm.

My elderly cat does the bellowing too. Why do they do that when they get old?

I agree with you that it is important to weight th...

2009-05-22T12:48:53.582-04:00

I agree with you that it is important to weight the decision of getting a pet. Pets, in general, take a lot of work. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks about this and many animals wind up in shelters and rescues.

The thing I find absolutely fascinating is the human-animal bond. It can be an incredibly unique and beautiful thing when all parties are benefiting the same way.

Personally, I am owned by four dogs. I do not know what I'd do without them. They have been there for me through thick and thin and offered so many more lessons than I could have possibly ever dreamed.

The first cat I cared for had a run-in with either...

2009-05-22T12:37:04.076-04:00

The first cat I cared for had a run-in with either a lawn mower or a motorcycle; subsequently we referred to her as "Tripod." She later developed feline leukemia. My first dog died very young of heart disease and my second died even younger of epilepsy. They all required multiple visits to the emergency vet, tons of tests, medication and procedures. Not to mention the heartache of seeing a beloved animal go through the pain and illness.

Although I'm currently petless I have nightmares that I forget that I have a pet and go out of town and leave them alone while they slowly starve to death.

I'm one of those people where the benefits of pet companionship are outweighed by the stress.

BadCat and BadKitten do have that annoying little ...

2009-05-22T12:26:58.467-04:00

BadCat and BadKitten do have that annoying little habit of trying to trip me when I am heading down to the laundry room..of course with a bit basketful of laundry in my arms! But they are still kinda cute...and they are well worth everything! Wouldn't trade the annoying little furballs for anything!

I love my 2 cats, but they do occasionally rush ah...

2009-05-22T12:15:54.893-04:00

I love my 2 cats, but they do occasionally rush ahead of me to the stairs and then trip me going down. I'm glad it's only 6 steps down them or I'm sure I'd have hurt myself much more by now.
Pets are definitely good for you. I'll never understand how they can be things to people. To everyone I know, they are family.

They cause stress tho - when they aren't well. A friend of mine has a newly diabatic cat and works shifts and now has to find a new home for her little buddy as she can't care for him properly...she is very stressed out and unhappy. Just like if a family member was sick...

Tricia - may I suggest a Devon Rex Cat if BK is allergic? I've a friend who is very allergic to cats and dogs and they have 2 of them. They're nmore fizzy than fluffy, but are very friendly little guys...

Pets rule. Growing up, I had two cats and a dog. I...

2009-05-22T11:07:56.725-04:00

Pets rule. Growing up, I had two cats and a dog. In college/early 20's I was pet-less. Then, in grad school, I met a man with a dog. An Alaskan Malamute, to be precise, and it was love at first sight. Of both man and Malamute. (Which was good, since he wouldn't even ask me out until he saw whether or not the dog liked me.)
There is a picture of that dog in our wedding album, along with our other two dogs. Sadly, he and one of the others have since passed on, but we still have our mutt. She's a corgi-pitbull mix, whom we adopted at 6 months from a shelter and is now 11 years old. She loves and protects us and our kids, is patient, and believes that every child in the world is her personal responsibility.
I'd love to have a cat, as well, but Hubby is allergic. So I am reduced to stalking the neighbors' cats.
I hope your cat is doing well!

We recently got a dog, so I'm walking more than ev...

2009-05-22T10:57:14.223-04:00

We recently got a dog, so I'm walking more than ever now (border collie = lots of exercise needed).

But, at heart, I am a cat person. So, when my beloved cat died last Feb, I was determined to get a new one. We got our new kitten two weeks ago. (Pictures of him are in my family blog at http://gigglesandkisses.blogspot.com )

I think they both improve my health. :)