你可知道，人类在生活中所面对的压力有多少？从学生开始，每天就要面临升学考试、学习成绩、老师和家长的批评、同学的指责等等的各种压力；青年人要面对职业、交友、爱情等方面的压力；老年人要面对子女、生活、经济、疾病等更多的压力。
在这种种压力的重负之下，人确实生活得很累.，现代人因此最容易产生忧郁症或暴躁症等精神并发症。聪明人会积极寻找舒解压力的办法，也有一些人采取法逃避现实求助于宗教神灵解脱的办法，更有一些愚蠢的人则选择了轻生的方式。
其实，饲养宠物绝对可以舒解人类所面对的种种压力，不相信的话，你可以看看，在越先进的国家里，宠物事业越发达。因为在越先进的国家，人们所面对的压力越多，寻求宠物舒解压力的人越多，由此引发宠物业的繁荣。虽然我无法从心理角度来解释宠物饲养对缓解人的各种压力的意义，但事实上我觉得，一个人只要接近宠物，，不管是狗还是猫、鱼或鸟等宠物，很多日常琐事都会淡化，各种各样的精神压力刹时烟消云灭。其中原因，可能要心理医生才解释得清。不管怎么样，不堪压力重负的人，建议你先养一种宠物试试！
Having pets really is good for your well-being.
养宠物真的可以让人变得幸福。
A new study of dog and cat owners over the age of 55 found that those who
have an animal companion tend to be happier, more successful, and exercise
more.
一项针对55岁以上狗和猫主人的最新研究发现，这些和动物成为朋友的人更加的开心和幸福，而且他们锻炼的频率也更高。
Experts say the seemingly minor physical aspects of pet ownership, from
taking walks to cleaning up after them, can go a long way – and, these bonds
boost the ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain.
专家称，遛狗、给狗捡粪便等细微行为对人们大有好处，而且主人和宠物的友好关系能让人们的大脑中产生更多的“感觉良好”化学物质。
The study commissioned by UK retirement home builder McCarthy & Stone
surveyed 1,000 British dog and cat owners.
英国养老院建筑商麦卡锡和石调查了1000名狗和猫的主人。
And, they found a number of trends among those with pets.
另外，他们还在这些宠物主人的身上出现了一系列趋势。
Pet owners reported nearly twice as much exercise as those without, at five
times per week versus three.
据称，养宠物的人的运动量比不养宠物的人多两次，他们每周运动五次，而那些没有养宠物的人每周运动三次。
‘The many benefits of pet ownership also include the cardio-vascular
exercise of dog-walking, and even the light housework associate with feeding and
clearing up after our beloved animals,’ says psychologist and author Corinne
Sweet.
“养宠物的好处多多，其中包括他们在遛狗时所做的有氧运动，还有喂狗和清扫狗的粪便等轻松的家务运动，”心理学家和作者科琳.斯威特说道。
Pet owners were also more likely to be married, have a child, and be happy
with their job.
养狗的人结婚和生子的可能性更高，而且他们对自己的工作更加满意。
They even earned an average of almost $5,200 more per year than non-pet
owners, and volunteered for charities more frequently.
和没有养狗的人比起来，他们每年的平均工资要高5200美元，他们做的志愿者和慈善工作的频率更高。
On the other hand, people without pets were more likely to have paid off
their mortgage, with 69 percent having done so compared to 60 percent of pet
owners.
另一方面，养宠物的人还完了房贷的可能性更大，每69个养宠物的人中有60人已还完贷款。
They also retired sooner, at 46 percent compared to 35.
他们退休的时间较早，46个宠物主人中的35人退休得较早。
The surveyed revealed that those with pets befitted greatly from talking to
their pets, and 16 percent even said that they wouldn’t ever speak to anyone if
it wasn’t for their pet.
受访者称，他们从遛狗中获得了很多的好处，有16%的人称是宠物增进了他们与外界的交流。
For many, this also did away with feelings of loneliness.
养狗还让许多人远离了孤独感。
‘The psychological and emotional benefits of pet ownership are well-known
among mental health professionals,’ Sweet said.
斯威特说：“养狗人在“心理和情感”方面收获的益处在健康专业人士中有口皆碑。”
‘Having a close bond with a domestic animal can boost “feel food”
biochemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin; which can make owners feel more
relaxed, calmer and happier at home.
“和家畜保持亲密关系可以增加‘感觉良好’的化学物质，比如内啡肽和催产素，它们可以让宠物主人在家庭生活中更加的放松、平静和愉快。”
‘Owners may also talk to their furry friends and gain a friendly,
comforting ear and warm welcome when they are feeling unwell, sad, or
lonely.’
“宠物主人还可能会和他们的宠物进行交流。当主人难受、悲伤和孤独时，宠物们会像朋友一样安慰他们，让他们感觉到温暖。”
宠物一般都需要慢慢的成长，需要持久的管护，对人的心性也是一个极大的培养和考验过程，并且一般都可以养成很好的生活习惯（宠物不喜欢烟味，很多养宠物的人都会慢慢戒烟，并且生活规律化）
还有的宠物有工作能力，譬如猫狗，对生活工作可以起到一定的协助作用
以下是坏处：
1、家里卫生条件恶化，需要更多精力打扫，而且即便打扫了也不会像没有宠物的时候那么干净
2、空气污染，主要来自宠物排泄物；
3、声音污染，宠物会在不适当的时候发出声音，影响生活，鸟类居多，一大早就会叫，影响家人和邻居的休息
4、生活不随意，影响度假旅游等休闲活动的正常进行
5、对孕妇及婴幼儿有不良影响（譬如弓形虫、猫狗对婴幼儿无意的抓伤咬伤之类的）本回答被网友采纳