This year for Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating all the wonderful things life has to offer. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, there’s oh-so-much to love. Check out our # LifeLoves blogs to find great ways to love life no matter what your budget as we look at treating yourself, travelling, loving your home and much more.
You’ll also have the chance to win an amazing £150 for you, plus £150 for charity on your behalf by entering our Life Loves competition (now closed). To enter, love the post on Facebook. But for now, let’s take a closer look at why our pets mean so much to us and how you can show you love them this Valentine’s Day.
The benefits of owning a pet
The love we have for our pets is unlike any other relationship in our lives, and it benefits us in tons of surprising and amazing ways. It truly is a two-way relationship – we look after them and they look after us, showing us endless affection and unconditional love.
So, in return, it seems only fair that we give them the best lives we can and celebrate this beautiful bond. Here are a few of the benefits of owning a pet and how you can show your appreciation on a budget.
They keep us active
Why spend money on a gym membership when you can adopt a loving dog who is always up for exploring? Pets, especially dogs and horses, get us out of the house and keep us active, even if we’re feeling lazy. You don’t have to be a gym bunny to keep fit – even just a 20-minute walk with the dog helps to promote weight loss and heart health.
According to a recent survey from Pets at Home, 36% of owners say that having a pet has helped them lose weight. Overall, it is thought pet owners in the UK collectively lose/lost an estimated four million stone thanks to their pets.
And it’s not just dogs and horses that help keep us healthy. A study in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology found that cat owners had a lower risk of dying of a heart attack, and that they helped owners relax during stressful times. Pet owners live longer and lead healthier lives overall thanks to their furry friends.
Since our pets keep us healthy, we ought to do the same for them. Why not say thanks to your favourite fitness buddy by keeping their diet fresh, healthy and interesting without having to splash out? Find them their new favourite, top-quality chow with Savoo’s great discounts for Christie’s Direct and Monster Pet Supplies.
Image Source: Pets at Home
They keep us happy
Pets have a remarkable way of relieving our stress and anxiety, keeping us grounded and caring for our mental health. Just sticking to a routine keeps our feet on the ground. After all, even if you don’t feel like caring for yourself, you have to care for your pet. They get us out of the house and keep us social when we’re struggling by getting us up and moving.
Most importantly, they give us a priceless amount of unconditional love. They’re always there for us to provide vital companionship when we need it most.
According to Ingrid Collins, a consultant psychologist at the London Medical Centre, “a pet is better than Prozac” for keeping us happy and stable. This is because they have “a completely different agenda to humans, and bring things back to basics. They want comfort, feeding and love. In return, they give huge affection.” Essentially, our beloved pets keep us happy by just being around.
It can’t be denied that after a rough day, coming home to a pet can make all the difference. Just stroking a dog has been shown to release positive, happy hormones like and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. Our pets keep us down to earth and ensure our mental health stays on track just by sticking around and showing us some love.
For all the ways they keep us happy, give them some back by treating them to a new toy from Pets at Home, a comfy new bed from Orvis or some special grooming accessories from Zooplus. Make them as happy as they make you with a simple gift to show them you care.
They keep us emotionally healthy and confident
Not only do pets keep us physically and mentally healthy, but they also do wonders for our emotional health. The security and affection that our pets provide make us more confident, secure people.
Health coach Emily Holland says “emotionally healthy people are resilient, self-confident and capable of developing strong, healthy relationships.” A study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that pet owners display most of these traits.
Pet owners were found to be more extroverted, less lonely, less anxious, and less daunted by the challenges of life than non-pet owners. Pet owners even deal with rejection and disappointment better. It’s no wonder that therapy dogs have become such a wide-spread, effective tool for those with anxiety, OCD and autism.
Make sure your pets are kept feeling their best, inside and out, with first-rate medical care. Find great offers on prescription medication, vitamins and more from VioVet and Pet Drugs Online to keep your pets feeling as good as you do.
Spread the love with donations to animal charities across the UK
As well as thanking your wonderful pets this Valentine’s Day, why not spread the love to animal charities like Blue Cross and the National Animal Welfare Trust? Donate to charities that work to improve the quality of life for animals in need without spending an extra penny while bagging a bargain on brands you love. Find out how it works with our handy step-by-step guide.
That’s a whole lot of love to go around – and everybody wins. Find your pet a treat with our Animals and Pets vouchers, donate to charity without spending anything extra and spread the love to animals who need your help. Plus, if you win our competition you’ll get an extra £150 donation to give to a charity on your behalf, along with £150 to treat yourself (or your pet) to something special.
Everyone who owns a pet knows how much joy they bring us and how unimaginable life is without them. With Savoo, give your pets the best life without breaking the bank. Plus, you’ll be helping out a charity of your choice – just another thing to love about shopping with Savoo.
In the meantime, don’t forget to keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds to see the latest Life Loves blogs and news about our #LifeLoves competition.
What makes your pet extra special? Let us know your favourite thing about your pet in the comments!
