Pets to help with anxiety?

[NillaMarie]

Advice needed - 

I’m going to be living on my own soon. And as excited as I am, I tend to get bad anxiety. I’ve never been an animal person, but I’m thinking about getting a dog to live with me (looking into small or medium dogs atm; no/low shed and not too energetic). Do your pets help you at all with anxiety? Or are they more hassle than help? Also any general pet advice would be helpful!

Let me know if you're team "Yes dog" or team "No dog". Would also appreciate your why or why not.

[aquagal49]

I’m team “YES DOG” 🐶 I’m currently in between pets and struggling with depression and anxiety and my doggos have been life long sources of grounding, stability, and comfort. I hope to find my new best friend soon!

[NillaMarie]

@aquagal49 I think having some comfort is really going to be nice after transitioning to being on my own. Where are you looking at to get your dog?

[love7]

I struggle with anxiety as well. While they are not a cure, a little head nudge from my cats or the sound of their purring definitely is a welcome distraction when I am spiraling. Also, as I also suffer from depression, they also can help motivate me to get moving in the morning. I would recommend that if you are considering a dog, perhaps steer away from puppies as potty training etc., can be stressful. Whatever you choose to do, I hope that your anxiety eases a bit, as I know how uncomfortable it can be.

[Marisa]

good note there on the potty training with puppies 🐶 @love7 that's a good point! 

[Marisa]

team "YES dog!" life is too short to skip having a furry friend 🐕

[Vanessa]

I'm team no dog. Might be good for you to be alone for a little while to help find yourself after a drastic transition!

[oaktownish]

Does it have to be a dog? I love dogs but they don’t fit into my current lifestyle. I have cats instead and I love the energy they bring to my home. They’re also a lot easier to care for since they’re so independent

[danielle]

I love that this was the first question that came up when I logged onto AthletaWell today because I LOVE my pup, Honey. She was a pandemic pup that I was (somewhat) gifted from my mother in May 2020, and it couldn't have come at a better time because I, like most of us, had a hard time during the beginning of the pandemic between moving, losing my job, etc. She has become the light of my days between keeping me active, creating a community of dog lovers in my life, and, of course, the cuddles. All that said, it's a ton of work, especially at the beginning with training and learning your dog's needs and how you can best manage them, but it gets easier. Now I know how often she needs to go out, how much exercise she needs everyday, and can schedule it into my day.

[kaminss]

Hi! I struggle with anxiety as well and while sometimes the pup is a big help, other times he’s a trigger for me. For example, he occasionally experiences GI upset. He obviously can’t talk, so my anxiety kicks into overdrive when he has episodes, because I can’t tell if it’s just something passing or something serious. And then when I think about it being something potentially serious, I get even more upset! So I think my advice is to consider what your triggers may be, before taking the leap. Good luck!

[Marisa]

thanks for chiming in @kaminss - great point about identifying our triggers before taking the leap! 

[Dani_P]

While I am team "yes dog" a million times over, I will say they are a ton of work! It's definitely important to consider that you're whole life and schedule will change -- from making sure they're walked enough times each day, to getting through the puppy years, and scheduling people to watch them or a place you trust to take care of them when you're out of town. That all being said, getting our pup Rye was the best decision I've made in the last year and a half. When I've felt anxious or down, having his constant love and cuddly presence was so grounding and comforting and every challenging part of having a dog has been outweighed by that. 🙂

[Marisa]

I have an appointment coming up at the dog adoption in San Francisco! Getting very excited 🐕 and starting to sweat at the same time having raised puppies before 😂 I can't wait 🐶 @Dani_P 

[alice]

100% team yes dog! I have an older (8.5 yrs old) short-haired chihuahua that we adopted a few years ago and she has been my little snuggle buddy through so many hard times. She is the most compassionate and reliable “person” I have ever known. And she gives me purpose and hope. I know it upsets her to to keep upset, so I try hard to calm down for her sake. And she gives me a great reason to get out for walks even when I feel horrible. As an older dog and a smaller dog, she isn’t a pain at all. She was already potty-trained, she walks well on a leash, and she mostly just wants to sit beside me wherever I am. I would absolutely recommend adopting an adult or senior dog. Puppies are cute, but they are so much work. My little dog was pretty perfect and easy from day one.

[BW]

If you get a puppy, it will drain you (in a good way bc they’re cute, but in a bad way bc they require so much constant care to train them). I found my puppy causing more stress and anxiety. Now that my dog is 1.5 years old (still considered a puppy), he is on a schedule and potty trained and, now, fun to interact with. Training them is a lot of work for a single person living alone. We had five people home during Covid so it was more manageable, but as a mom, I managed the dog training the most. Maybe consider getting a rescue that isn’t as needy as a puppy. I’m definitely in the YES! boat for getting a dog. We’re empty nesters and having the dog has helped bridge the gap of this next phase of our parenthood / life.

[ShannonP56]

I can speak from my own experience and as a therapist working with children who struggle with depression and anxiety. Animals are very therapeutic and have a big healing aspect to them. I believe whole heartedly in animal assisted therapy! Get a dog…believe me you will not regret it. Yes they can be a lot of work, they poop and pee sometimes where they shouldn’t lol…those things can be worked on and cleaned up….you cant trade the love you get from dogs, those little snuggles that make life all better, and the immense joy our pets brings us for anything in the world! Get a dog…then get two 🙂 Huge hugs to you! 

[Saras1294]

Congrats NillaMare on getting out on your own. I have a dog and would not recommend it. My dog actually causes me a lot of anxiety. I am cleaning up after him when I could be enjoying time with friends or self care. Also, I can’t leave the house for more than 6 hours because of him. Don’t get a dog!! Not with it!

[anitab]

Definitely team pet.  I got a dog when I first moved away from home and she was a lifesaver.  Couple of tips from a 68-year-old lifelong pet owner --adopt, don't shop.  Work with the adoption counselors at your local shelter to make a good match for you.  Many have concierge services to help match you.  An older more settled pet might be what you need.  I echo the sentiments of those who also champion felines.  I have three dogs and one cat, all rescues, and they are the best things in my life.