Dear Dr. Garner,A few years ago you answered a question about pets and the health benefits of being a pet owner. I live in an apartment that is very small and not suitable for a dog. I was thinking of tropical fish.
Are there similar benefits to tropical fish as pets?
Thank you and Merry Christmas
Wishing for a pet in Williamsburg
Dear Wishing,
Before addressing your question, I want to wish you and all our readers a Merry Christmas! This is the time of year where many traditions exist. The Christmas Eve get-together at the home of Adriane, George and Danielle Adams is such a tradition, and a highlight of the year!
I would also like to send Christmas greetings to the Carneseccas and Grisafis. We spend many happy moments together throughout the year.
Your question is an important one and a previous column did deal with dogs as pets. I would like to point out that for nearly 25 years, research has shown that owning pets provides health benefits.
Pets help to lower blood pressure and decrease anxiety. As a result, they boost the immune system. They are also good for socializing. Often, pets can be a stimulus to meet new friends.
While some dog owners are concerned about allergic reactions with their pets, this is something that one does not have to worry about with tropical fish.
Another interesting finding is that pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
In another study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who owned a pet had lower blood pressure in stressful situations than people without pets.
People who are under stress secrete a chemical in their blood known as cortisol. This is a stress hormone. Studies have shown links between this chemical and plaque buildup in arteries. This creates a prime setting for a heart attack. Heart attack patients who do have pets survive longer than those without, according to multiple studies. Male pet owners also have better cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners.
The human-animal bond is a strong emotional one for pet owners. Some patients who refuse to speak to people will talk to their pets. While most studies have been done with dogs or cats, the studies done with tropical fish have shown similar benefits.
Aquarium Action
Studies have shown that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. Watching fish swim in a tank can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin which cause people to become calm and relaxed. Pet owners over the age of 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to doctors than those without pets. Watching an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower pulse rate.
Pets can improve your lifestyle by reducing anxiety, adding structure to your day (feeding and taking care of the fish) and even providing companionship as people become attached to the fish. It is much better to watch an aquarium with fish and their interactions with other fish than to sit and watch TV all day. Another benefit of fish is that they are confined within their quarters and easier to care for.
Pets, in general, benefit owners by lowering blood pressure and pulse rate, protecting against depression, improving immunity and socialization and senior citizens who own pets tend to become more active and take better care of themselves.
You don’t need a prescription to realize the benefits of a pet. For a limited emotional and financial investment, beautiful fish can improve one’s lifestyle.
In addition to providing tranquility and a calming effect, fish are easier and less expensive to care for thanother pets and they will never serenade your neighbors.
Merry Christmas to all, and I hope to see you Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. for a new season of “Ask the Doctor.”
Dr. Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He also hosts “Ask the Doctor” on NET TV, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Time Warner Channel 97, Cablevision Channel 30 and Verizon FiOS on Demand.
