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Pets Can Bring Health Benefits
16 May 02 - I REFER to the letter, Draw up laws for cat owners (ST, April 5). Certainly, pet owners should be made more aware of their social responsibilities and not inconvenience their neighbours. However, enforcing blanket regulations would be too harsh.
In The News: Straits Times, 9 April 2001 by LYNN YEO MEI-WEN.
As a doctor and cat owner, I feel it is unfortunate that the minimal risks associated with animal contact have been highlighted without fair mention of the many positive aspects of animal companionship. I am concerned that an imbalanced view would unnecessarily deter people who want to adopt a pet, or worse, cause those who already own pets to abandon them. People should not be denied the pleasure and benefits of having a pet because of incomplete information. An unjustified fear of animals might also deny many stray cats a chance of being taken off our streets into homes.
I wish to elaborate on the following health-related points:
- Animal fur is only one of many factors that may trigger asthma in individuals who are genetically predisposed. A survey showed that the most common trigger factors were found to be stress, upper-respiratory tract infections and exercise.
- One theory about why the incidence of asthma maybe on the rise is that children in developed countries now live in a more sterile environment. Researchers believe we need to be exposed to bacteria for our immune system to work properly. In the article, Why some bugs are good for you (ST, March 3 2000), it was stated that if you want to keep your children free of allergies and asthma, one of the best things you can do is to let them hang out with animals.
- Cat saliva may contain bacteria but human saliva, which we are more likely to come into contact with, carries arguably the greatest amount of viruses and bacteria. While any bite can potentially cause an infection, cats do not bite unless provoked, and only in self-defence.
- The value of animal companionship cannot be over-emphasised. Research has shown that animals can improve morale, decrease stress and increase longevity. Being around them decreases anxiety levels and blood pressure, and increases the survival rate after a heart attack. They are good companions to the elderly, help emotionally-disturbed children and comfort the dying. Animals also have been included in many rehabilitative programmes to help humans.
Published by admin on 16 May 02. Last modified 16 May 02.
