Less stress & anxiety. It probably won’t come as a surprise: having a sweet, cuddly pet to come home to can boost your mood. Owning a pet can reduce feelings of stress and seriously benefit your mental health. Plus, your pet isn’t going to judge you or hold your past against you—they’ll love you just as you are.

Reduced feelings of loneliness. Pets make amazing pals, and having a furry friend by your side can help you feel socially connected. Pet owners are less likely to experience feelings of isolation; loving on your sweet pet day in and day out can offer you feelings of companionship. Plus, pets can help you meet new people too. You might find that more people say hello to you in the street when you’ve got a cute pet by your side.

Promote bodily health. Many types of pets actually encourage exercise in their owners. Dogs need walks, cats need play sessions, and caged pets need their cages scrubbed regularly. Throughout the day, you might find yourself getting more active, more often. And what’s more, you won’t even realize that you’re getting a workout!

Prevent sickness. Fun fact: having a pet can actually increase your immunity, too. Dogs track all kinds of new germs into your household; though this may sound like a downside, being exposed to pets makes you better at fighting sickness down the line. Studies show that kids who own pets have increased levels of immunoglobulin (an antibody that helps fight infection).

Increases empathy in children. Studies show that kids who have pets learn more social skills, which can be an invaluable asset to them early in life. When kids take care of pets, they learn the joy of providing unconditional love, and their confidence skyrockets as well. In combination, these effects help children to understand (and care deeply for) the people around them.