Helping Your Doctor Treat Your Depression: Depression and Pets

The studies are in and the conclusion from them is that pets help ease your depression. This doesn't come as a surprise to those of us who have pets. What may come as a surprise are the reasons for this.

Pets never judge us
The first reason given in most studies for the ability of pets to help ease the symptoms of depression is that they never judge us. They love us unconditionally, really require nothing of us and never comment on our behavior or appearance. It's the perfect relationship. In tests conducted where a person was given a simple math or spelling test where they had their best friend, spouse or pet present, they were the most calm and performed the best when the pet was in the room as opposed to the friend or spouse. We are more at ease with our pets than with our fellow humans.

Pets give us a reason to get up in the morning
The vast majority of pets require some sort of daily care. Granted it's usually not much care, often just providing them food and water. But for a person with no family living with them, it can be a very real reason to get up every day. It can also provide a reason for a person to go to work every day. For many, the daily walk their dog needs is the only reason they leave the house. Something they wouldn't do for themselves, they will do for their dog. They will go to work to support their pet even when they wouldn't do it for themselves.

Pets are attuned to our emotions
When we are having a stressful day or are depressed, our pets often pick up on this. Sometimes their subtle ways of comforting us are the medicine we need most. In my own life, there have been times when my Pomeranian brings me her favorite stuffed animal to hold. It's the one she snuggles with during thunderstorms. Being given her favorite toy not only makes me feel better because it's a sweet gesture, it also helps because I know that there is at least one living creature on this planet that knows I'm upset. I don't have to actually explain anything to her. I can just feel it and she knows.