The vast majority of Americans see thier pets as a valued family member, but pet ownership can come with extreme highs and lows. On this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss the history of pets, their personal stories, and some of the surprising research about how pets influence our physical and mental health. Plus, they give tips for grieving a lost pet.

Sources:

When Did Man First Domesticate Dogs? | Psychology Today The Natural History of Domestic Cats |

Alley Cat Allies Pet’s influence on humans’ daily physical activity and mental health: a meta-analysis - PMC (nih.gov)

Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature - PMC (nih.gov)

Pet ownership and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic - PMC (nih.gov)

Pet ownership and human health: a brief review of evidence and issues - PMC (nih.gov)

U.S. pet ownership statistics | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)

2023 Pet Ownership Statistics: 70 Fur Facts - Lemonade Big money: Americans spend $500M on Halloween costumes for pets | MyStateline.com