BBC News School Report @ LCS

Some pets are shown to improve our mental health by getting us active and lessening loneliness, but what pets are best at improving our mental health?

Did you know that the UK pet population was estimated at being around 8.5 million in 2015? And they were just the dogs! Dogs are very popular and can be a great companion for people in later life; not only do they make a great friend but also a great counsellor. Dogs can help children, as well as adults, who may have mental issues such as: depression; autism; and loneliness. They can also can help us socialise.

Cats, on the other hand, are said to be bad for us as they can cause mental health issues. 22 percent of case of IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder), a condition which leads to violent outbursts of impulsive, aggressive or angry behaviour, have been linked to owning a cat. It has been suggested that this link could be due to a parasite found in cat faeces, or alternatively, all the stress that the cats may leave around the house such as scratching sofas or bringing in dead birds can cause us to worry and get upset. This can also lead to another mental issue called schizophrenia where you may find yourself having emotional breakdowns and extreme changes in behaviour.

Why do we turn to pets for help? Most of us may find that at some points in our lives we feel alone or we need someone to talk to; this is when we turn to our pets. We talk to our pets because we know that they can’t talk or tell anyone and will listen to whatever we tell them. They may not understand, but a problem shared is a problem halved. We also find comfort in our pets by stroking their soft fur or playing with them, which will relax our minds. Some pet can also help calm down mental health issues.