Anyone who has ever held a kitten or hugged a puppy knows that pets can be good for the soul. But according to recent research, they also may be good for the heart, the brain, and other vital organs. A UCLA study showed that Medicare patients who have pets visit their doctors much less frequently, and seem to tolerate stressful events better, than their pet-deprived peers. Another study found that stockbrokers with high blood pressure fared much better in their response to stress when they had been given a pet as a companion for a six-month period. Among stockbrokers in this study who had received only an antihypertensive drug, blood pressure soared into the unhealthy range under stressful conditions. However, the stockbrokers who had received both the drug and a furry companion experienced only a small rise in blood pressure - well within healthy limits - when subjected to stress.

The health benefits of pets go on and on. From studies of the use of "animal-assisted therapy" with stroke patients to the benefits of pet ownership for people with Alzheimer's, there is growing interest in the important role animals can play in helping patients cope with or recover from serious illness. But why wait till you're seriously ill to experience the companionship of a pet? The special relationship between you and your pet is unlike any relationship you have with another human. A dog or cat doesn't judge you on your looks or shun you because you're in a bad mood. You don't have to worry about how you smell or whether your conversation is witty enough. Receiving this unconditional love is a great stress-reducer. What's more, petting an animal, brushing a cat, or walking a restless dog all make you extend yourself when you wouldn't otherwise. This can provide balance for busy, hard-driving people.

Whether you live in a big house with a large backyard or a tiny apartment with a "no dogs allowed" policy, you can probably find a pet that suits your needs and lifestyle. The "Pet Compatibility Chart" below is a good place to start. You can also check your library or bookstore for books on choosing a pet, or visit the Internet for a wealth of free information on the selection, care, and feeding of pets as varied as iguanas, chinchillas, cockatoos and peke-a-poos. Whatever you choose, you'll have a friend for life.

PET COMPATIBILITY CHART

DOGS

Disadvantages: Dogs require a significant amount of time and energy, depending on the breed. They need daily exercise, feedings, play time, may require obedience training, and depend on you for routine medical care, affection, and grooming. They also can be expensive. Getting a dog is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cost. You'll need to plan on the expense of shots, spaying/neutering, maintenance veterinarian care, and food. Plan on cleaning up a few accidents on your carpet too. Dogs are also not as long-lived as some other pets. While some small dogs can live into their teens, larger breeds may only live 10 years or less. In addition, their hair, dander, and saliva are known for causing allergies.

Tips: Once you've decided on a breed, ask a veterinarian in your area to recommend a reputable breeder with top-notch breeding standards. And for goodness sakes, don't buy a dog from a pet store! All too often, they come from puppy mills and have genetic problems that only come to light later (after you've bonded with them). If you're not determined to have a purebred pet, consider checking candidates at the local animal shelter.

CATS

Benefits: Cats are for animal-lovers that don't like to be licked, slobbered on, barked at or adored. A quieter, more polite, lower-maintenance choice than dogs, cats offer companionship and affection without the panting. Cats are an ideal choice for people with limited living space and limited time to spend with a pet. They can also be long-lived.

Disadvantages: One word. Hairballs. Cats can also be destructive with their claws and like dogs sometimes have "accidents" and miss their litter boxes, accidentally or intentionally. They can also be expensive to buy and to care for. Like dogs, their hair, dander, and saliva are also known for causing allergies.

Tips: Make sure your cat has something to keep him occupied when you're not at home. Cats can be destructive when they're bored and like certain toys designed to capture their interest. Visit your local pet store or one of the many pet websites to find the latest in kitty entertainment. If you're not determined to have a pure-bred pet, consider checking candidates at the local animal shelter.

FISH

Benefits: Fish aren't cuddly, but they certainly are beautiful and relaxing to watch. The variety of different colors and sizes of fish is endless, as is the likelihood of getting hooked on unusual and exotic breeds. And it goes without saying that fish don't require much care aside from feeding and cleaning their tank, so if you have limited space, are allergic to dogs or cats, or just prefer gills to feathers, four legs or fur, fish may be an excellent choice.

Disadvantages: Fish, too can be costly when you start collecting rare or exotic breeds. And caring for their tanks is a messy, time-consuming job. Plus, fish tank filters can be noisy.

Tips: Buy your fish from a reputable fish store. There's nothing more frustrating than bringing home a beautiful fish that either dies shortly after its arrival, or infects your other fish with a disease and then dies.

REPTILES

Benefits: Snakes, turtles, lizards and other scaly friends make exotic and entertaining pets. They're an interesting alternative for someone who doesn't have the patience for a dog or a cat, but enjoys unusual animals. They are capable of displaying intelligence and complex behavior and they can also be long-lived.

Disadvantages: Cold-blooded pets require special living conditions, often mimicking their natural habitat. They can grow to huge sizes; an iguana can reach lengths of 6-6 ½ feet and certain breeds of snakes grow to twice that. Some reptiles have very specific dietary needs, including those who require live feedings.

Tips: If you commit to owning a reptile, and understand its special climate needs, be sure to have a back-up plan for power-outages. Electricity-powered heaters used for reptile tanks can be connected to inexpensive gasoline-powered generators, which will provide power in a pinch.

BIRDS

Benefits: Birds are beautiful, intelligent, and build strong bonds with their owners. They can be affectionate and playful and can bring music into your home.

Disadvantages: Although they make wonderful pets, feathered friends regularly make noise, throw food, eliminate on furniture and molt feathers. Be ready for a bit of a mess. They can also be very, very noisy.

Tips: Many of the larger Macaws have life spans that mirror that of humans, so do your research and pick a bird with which you can build a potentially life-long relationship.

BEST BET PETS

Think about your lifestyle before you buy a pet. If you live in an apartment and prefer a cuddly lap animal that doesn't require a lot of space and exercise, then you may want to consider a small dog like a Bishon Frise or a Yorkshire Terrier, a cat, a fish, or a bird.

Don't overlook your neighborhood animal shelter as a place to find a perfectly adorable pet with the same capacity for love as a pure-bred dog or cat. You'll be rescuing an animal who will show its appreciation every day of its life.

When you're buying or adopting a pet, look for signs that it has been socialized to humans - a factor that is more important than the personality characteristics of the breed. For instance, long-haired cats like Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and Norwegian Forest Cat, which had to be brushed as kittens, are likely to be more socialized - and consequently, more affectionate - than shorthaired cats.

Longing for a little birdie on your shoulder? Hand-raised love birds are possibly the most socialized and friendly birds around. These highly social little parrots would like nothing better than to spend the entire day with you.

If you want a smaller dog that will need a decent amount of exercise, consider a terrier, such as a West Highland White, Scottish or Border Terrier. These spunky little dogs are high-energy, happy companions.

In search of a fun, affectionate, intelligent pet other than a dog or cat? How about a potbellied pig? Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs originated in the jungles of China and Vietnam and were introduced to the United States as pets around 1985. Since that time, the Miniature Pot-Bellied Pig has been growing in popularity among pet owners who love its cleanliness, intelligence, and unique appearance.

Has your pet improved your health? Living with and caring for your pet can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels. Pets even help heart attack patients survive longer. If you're a pet owner, I'll bet you're a believer!

--Daily Healthy Center, DrWhitaker.com, 12 Jan 2002

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