Pet Therapy: Why Having A Cat Or Dog Can Help Manage Diabetes

Pet Therapy: Why Having A Cat Or Dog Can Help Manage Diabetes 

Are you aware of the term animal-assisted therapy? It is a form of therapy that helps in saving lives every day. Animal-assisted therapy is an increasingly growing field that makes use of dogs or other animals to help individuals recover from, as well as cope with, diverse health problems including mental health problems, emotional lowdowns, diabetes, heart diseases and even cancer. Another common term you may have come across is pet therapy.

Pet Therapy Meaning

Besides the aforementioned types of diseases that pets can help alleviate, pet therapy can specifically help those who suffer from seizures, blindness, hearing difficulties, autism, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and in the context of this article, diabetes.

Pet Therapy Benefits for Diabetes

For individuals with diabetes, pets can be efficiently trained in detecting low blood sugar levels for those who make use of insulin and are “hypoglycemic unaware.” In such a scenario, pets can help in alerting the person to eat something sugary to avoid this crisis. This is truly fascinating as well as lifesaving. That said, not all individuals with type 2 diabetes fit this description. In addition, scores of individuals with type 2 diabetes do not need insulin. Moreover, some individuals with type 2 diabetes and who are on insulin are often aware when their blood sugar levels drop and can be efficiently treated without going through a crisis.

How Pets Help In Offering Special Diabetes Support

Individuals with diabetes can attain several health benefits via a companion animal or pet (such as a cat or dog). Mentioned below are some of the roles that pets can serve:

An Awesome Reason to Exercise

Being physically active can help you in losing weight and preventing weight gain. Both factors are crucial when it comes to controlling blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes. The necessary obligation of taking your dog out for a walk or even offering exercise opportunities for a cat (which is vital for feline health) can surely help in getting you up and moving, when you would otherwise stay on your couch. Some individuals have reported that they walk for nearly a mile in taking their pet out for a walk. For optimum pet therapy benefits, you should choose a dog rather than a sedentary pet. Research indicates that physically activity occurs more frequently in dog-owners in comparison with those who own other non-canine pets. Try to cover 30-45 minutes of brisk walking five times each week. The chances of your dog loving it are also extremely high.

A Supportive Companion

Pets can assist in reducing feelings of loneliness while simultaneously offering unconditional love. This can be especially important if you are feeling low or down with regard to your diabetes diagnosis. Dog-owners have gone on record to say that their dogs have supported them in diverse ways that their family couldn’t. Some others have said that you can talk to your pet endlessly, without them needing to tell you to shut up. A pet around (be it a cat, dog, bird, or any other animal) may also help you to cope with difficult situations. According to one study, pet-owners had milder responses to stress and recovered much quickly from stressful events in comparison with those who did not own any pet.

The Final Word

Does your pet necessarily have to be a dog? No. Does it have to be only a cat? No. It could be a hamster or a fish. Maybe even a bird. It could be whatever animal that offers you joy and meets your emotional and medical needs. The key lies in the unconditional love that they offer you. They help you in diverse ways while simultaneously protecting you from harm.

Reference Links:

1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/treatment/pet-therapy-for-diabetes/
2. https://type2diabetes.com/living/pet-therapy