8 Reasons to Get a Pet Right Now

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Pets are just the best. Furry, feathered, pawed, or scaled, they’re the perfect companions. Unlike those fickle humans, our pets love us unconditionally—they don’t care if we haven’t combed our hair or if we stay in our pajamas all day eating Oreos and watching re-runs of Gilmore Girls. They just want to snuggle!

There’s a pet out there to suit everyone’s wants. Birds supply beauty and song. Dogs give you their undying loyalty. Rats are squeaky and cute. And cats? Well, they just do what they want, and that’s why we’re fascinated by them.

And as a bonus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites the many health benefits of pets, including lowered blood pressure and relief from the stresses of loneliness. With all these benefits, you really can’t go wrong with a feathered or furry friend.

Even better, if you adopt a pet from a shelter, you’re helping a poor, homeless animal out, too—it’s win-win! So to give you just the push you need, let’s take a look at 8 reasons to get a pet right now.

They'll Love You

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Come on. Admit it. You want this kitten to hug you.

This is the big draw of adopting a pet. They’re affectionate, they’re sweet, and most of all, they love you.

Anyone who claims that animals don’t have feelings hasn’t ever been sweetly gazed at by a cat. They probably haven’t had a dog gingerly lay its head on their leg or felt a rat happily curl up in the palm of their hand.

According to Carl Safina’s book, “Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel,” an animal’s social connections are just as important to it as our own human connections are to us. They physically relax in the presence of those humans they trust, and even release oxytocin—a hormone strongly related to love and affection.

Knowing you’re cared for is a big deal—it can stave off loneliness and depression, and just leaves us feeling better about our lives. If you’re feeling lonesome, or if you just want to feel the unabashed adoration of a pet, the love of a furry friend may be just what you need.

They Make Great Friends

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Have you ever wanted that one, good friend who is willing to put up with your weirdness, who never thinks twice about spending time with you, and who thinks you’re pretty darn cool?

Well, you can’t get much better than a pet.

See this pug? Don’t you just feel relaxed when you look at him? Imagine this little couch potato is your buddy. He’ll sit with you through any movie, no matter how terrible. He’ll listen to you complain about your day. He’ll even go outside and play ball with you. Whatever your idea of relaxing is, he’ll be right there with you.

What more could you ask for in a friend?

Best of all, he’ll never abandon you—you’ll wake up to find his little face staring up at you, ready to begin a new day and accompany you as you go about your activities.

Pets make great friends, so if you’re ready, don’t hesitate to adopt one today!

They're Entertaining

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Look at this little rat. Just look at him. He’s putting candy in a Halloween bucket with his little rat hands.

As Russell Crowe once exclaimed, are you not entertained?

Animals are not humans. They don’t react to things like we do—they’re very unpredictable, and have their own, unique needs, wants, and goals. They’re also trainable, and can be taught to do a variety of things.

Combined, these traits make your furry little guest very entertaining. Whether they’re zooming around the house for no reason, bringing you your socks, or escaping into the neighbor’s yard, they’re going to keep you entranced and involved.

And what’s more, they’ll light up the lives of your friends and family, as well. Imagine all the people who would visit you if you had a little pet rat that carried around Halloween candy.

But pets don’t have to do anything fancy to get a smile out of you. Sometimes, a simple wag of the tail is all you need.

Get a pet today, and you’ll never be bored.

They Give You Purpose

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The preservation and care of life is one of the highest callings of mankind. The world needs you and your help.

You can start by adopting a pet.

Caring for a pet is a privilege, and the happiness this brings might surprise you. You might not consider scooping the litter box and putting down the feed-bowl to be grand gestures, but caring for your pet gives a sense of purpose.

It is purpose that drives us, that keeps us getting out of bed every morning. Most of us have a general sense of purpose, but if you don’t, taking good care of a fuzzy little life might fill that need.

That sense of purpose is vital to mental health—people who have a strong connection to their sense of purpose have been proven to live longer, be healthier, have fewer psychiatric problems, and handle pain better. Purposeful people also have better relationships with their friends and family, and are more resilient to the ups and downs of life.

Who knew that giving a bird a bath could be so good for you?

They Don't Judge You

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Animals are lovely little weirdoes. They play inside of shoes. They eat things off the floor. They go to the bathroom in unexpected places.

One thing they’re definitely not doing, though, is judging you.

Animals don’t have the same perceptions as humans. They don’t want the same things, or see the same things as important. They don’t care if you didn’t get that raise. They don’t mind if you sleep in. They won’t go gossip when you eat that second tub of ice cream.

They just don’t care. All they want to do is be an animal, love on you, and get rubs.

There’s something wonderfully freeing about being around a creature that doesn’t judge you. You can be yourself. And for some of us, that’s usually a difficult thing to be. But with a pet, you can be your sweatpants-wearing, disco-loving, stamp-collecting self! Or, you know, whatever else you might be.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hang around a little buddy who will never judge you—especially because they’re just as weird as you are.

They'll Challenge You

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If you adopt a pet, your life is going to change. That’s a fact.

To properly care for a new pet, you’re going to have to learn patience—a cat may claw your furniture, and you’ll have to train her. You’re going to have to learn discipline; your rat and bird aren’t going to clean their cages by themselves. You’re going to be tested when your dog prefers not to stand as you attempt to lead him on the leash.

The point is, though, that a pet challenges you. And that’s a very good thing.

Most people only change when not changing becomes too uncomfortable. We’re creatures of habit, and we sometimes need that little nudge—or nuzzle—to get us going.

With a pet, you’re going to get that nudge daily. You’ll develop vital life skills as you care for your fuzz-buddy, and if you’re diligent, you’ll soon find yourself changing, for the better, as a person.

When you’re adequately prepared, a pet will challenge you in the wonderful of ways—go adopt one today!

They're Cute

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Animals are cute. They’re so cute that it hurts. You probably can’t stop watching this little rat as she sleeps with a teddy bear while getting rubs from her human. You may not know it, but as you watch, your heart rate and breathing are slowing. Your blood pressure is dropping. Your stress levels are easing off. And above all, you simply feel better.

Beyond these health effects, cuteness has actually been found to improve concentration, as well, and encourages the completion of tasks with more care and deliberateness. You’re not only feeling better with more cute in your life, but you’re performing better, as well.

Cute isn’t just sweet. It’s healthy and good for you.

Numerous studies have shown that looking at images of cute animals has all of these effects—you’re probably experiencing them right now! But why not try the real thing and benefit from an overload of cuteness while rescuing an animal from the shelter?

Go grab your cutie. He or she is waiting for you!

They're Family

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The animals we keep as pets today have been traveling alongside humankind for centuries, developing a relationship with us that goes beyond mere practicality—often, they consider us a part of their pack.

This is something beyond friendship. It’s beyond simple care. When you adopt a pet, you gain a family member.

Friends share deeply in your life, but they also tend to pass in and out of it over time. Family, though, is different. Once a family member enters the picture, they’re there for life.

The same is true with a pet.

Knowing that adopting a pet means a lifetime with that pet feels like a big commitment, but it’s a beautiful one. Your furry family member going to be with you for years to come, and will experience all of life’s ups and downs with you, just like the rest of your family. They’ll never forsake you.

When all else fails, you turn to family, and your pet is a part of that support structure. Let a little friend join your flock today!