Having a pet can be good for your physical and mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a pet can help lower your blood pressure, help you recover more quickly from illness, and help to lower your levels of anxiety and depression. Any kind of pet can be beneficial, but those that bond and interact with you are probably the best choices.

Here are some benefits of pet ownership:

• A dog will force you to exercise. You have to walk your dog, rain or shine, so you'll usually put in at least a couple of miles every day, which is good for your cardiovascular system, burns calories, and increases your endurance.
• If you have a dog, you meet more people, especially other dog owners--and an expanded social circle tends to promote health and longevity.
• A cat will calm your nerves, just by sitting on your lap and purring.
• A tankful of fish will lower anxiety, which is why doctors often have an aquarium in the waiting room.
• A pet of any kind will increase your desire to get moving, because it's a playmate and because it depends on you.
• Pets are good for your mental agility because they make you think. You have to be ready to amuse and outwit a playful dog, cat, or ferret.

If you don't have a pet and are thinking about getting one, get a pet that's right for you. Cats don't usually require a lot of work, but they do like attention. (They're not aloof, as many people think.) Most cats are happier with other cats, or even a dog. An energetic dog like a golden retriever might be a good choice for a family, while an older single person might prefer a hound or a smaller breed.