Stressed pets: How to stop it now and when you go back to work

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Updated 1130 GMT (1930 HKT) April 25, 2020

Pets bring joy to our lives (yes, dog lovers -- even cats). Need more proof than the gleeful smile on this child's face? <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215004343" target="_blank">A study from Indiana University</a> found simply watching cat videos boosted energy and healthy positive emotions and decreased negative feelings.
Photos: How pets improve our health
Pets bring joy to our lives (yes, dog lovers -- even cats). Need more proof than the gleeful smile on this child's face? A study from Indiana University found simply watching cat videos boosted energy and healthy positive emotions and decreased negative feelings.
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Man's best friend is well known for devotion and loyalty, but did you know that dogs can also extend our lifespans? A new <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554" target="_blank">meta-analysis </a>of research on nearly 4 million people found dog owners were 24% less likely to die for any reason.
Photos: How pets improve our health
How pets improve our health – Man's best friend is well known for devotion and loyalty, but did you know that dogs can also extend our lifespans? A new meta-analysis of research on nearly 4 million people found dog owners were 24% less likely to die for any reason.
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It's likely that the health benefits of dog ownership have to do with the amount of exercise needed to keep the furry friends healthy -- studies show dog owners can get 30 minutes more exercise a day than people who don't own dogs. Just who is rescuing whom here?
Photos: How pets improve our health
It's likely that the health benefits of dog ownership have to do with the amount of exercise needed to keep the furry friends healthy -- studies show dog owners can get 30 minutes more exercise a day than people who don't own dogs. Just who is rescuing whom here?
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Don't worry, cat lovers. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317329/" target="_blank">2009 study</a> found a lower risk of death by heart attack and overall cardiovascular disease among cat owners, even if they no longer lived with their fluffy friend.
Photos: How pets improve our health
Don't worry, cat lovers. A 2009 study found a lower risk of death by heart attack and overall cardiovascular disease among cat owners, even if they no longer lived with their fluffy friend.
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The act of petting your cat releases the bonding hormone oxytocin, also called the "cuddle chemical." The fact that your cat is purring while you're doing this is an additional stress reducer.