There’s a reason why therapy dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes, and even college campuses during exam season—pets have an incredible ability to comfort, heal, and uplift us. From easing anxiety in children to providing companionship for seniors, the “Pet Effect” is real and scientifically backed.
Studies show that spending time with pets can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and even speed up recovery times for patients. Whether it’s a wagging tail in a hospital room, a gentle purr during a tough day, or a horse-assisted therapy session, our animal companions have a profound impact on our well-being.
Owning a pet doesn’t just warm the heart—it keeps it healthy, too! Research has shown that pet ownership is linked to lower risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease. How? Dogs, in particular, encourage regular walks and outdoor activity, helping their humans stay active.
Even small pets like cats, rabbits, and birds can contribute by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which in turn supports better heart health. Additionally, playing with pets—whether it’s tossing a ball for a dog or using interactive toys with a cat—keeps us moving and engaged, adding a little extra fitness to our day.
Beyond physical health, pets are also powerful allies for our mental well-being. Studies show that petting a dog or cat releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which fosters bonding and reduces anxiety. Their unconditional love provides comfort during tough times, helping to combat loneliness and depression.
This is especially crucial for children and older adults, who often benefit the most from the companionship and emotional support that pets provide. Pets also help regulate emotions, offering a sense of routine and stability in our daily lives.
While pet ownership is beneficial for all ages, children and older adults reap some of the greatest rewards. For older adults, pets provide a sense of purpose and encourage regular activity, which can help prevent isolation and depression. The daily routine of feeding, walking, and caring for a pet can also contribute to cognitive stimulation and a healthier lifestyle.
For children, pets are more than just playmates—they’re teachers. Through caring for a pet, kids learn responsibility, patience, and empathy. They also develop stronger social skills, as pets can serve as conversation starters and sources of comfort in social situations.
Additionally, children with developmental challenges, such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often benefit from the structured routine and nonjudgmental companionship that pets provide. Studies suggest that interacting with pets can help these children improve communication skills, regulate emotions, and reduce stress and anxiety.
One of the most valuable lessons pets teach children is responsibility. Feeding, grooming, and caring for a pet requires consistency and commitment, helping children develop discipline and accountability.
Moreover, pets can help children navigate complex emotions, including grief. Experiencing the loss of a pet can be a child’s first exposure to the concept of life and death, providing an opportunity to learn about loss in a safe and supportive environment.
Additionally, pets can play a significant role in social development. They provide comfort in stressful situations, making it easier for children to express their emotions and engage with others. For children with social anxiety or developmental disorders, having a pet as a source of unconditional support can be life-changing, offering confidence in social interactions and emotional regulation.
Pets bring us joy, comfort, and countless health benefits. Whether they’re helping a child build confidence, providing companionship to an elderly adult, or simply keeping us active, pets truly make life better.
The Pet Effect isn’t just a saying—it’s a science-backed reality that reminds us just how powerful the bond between humans and animals can be. So, the next time your furry (or feathered!) friend greets you at the door, remember—they’re not just a pet, they’re a source of love, healing, and happiness.
At Global Pet Foods, we take immense pride in supporting quality products from around the world, with a great selection of Canadian-made products and Canadian brands that showcase the best our country has to offer. As a proudly Canadian company, we value sourcing pet foods and products that meet and exceed the nutritional needs of your beloved pets.
Why Choose Canadian Brands?
Canadian brands we carry are known for their commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. Choosing Canadian-made pet foods and brands supports local businesses and ensures your pets receive products made with premium ingredients.*
A Wide Selection of Canadian-Made Pet Products
Global Pet Foods proudly offers an extensive range of Canadian made products and Canadian brands, each dedicated to the health and well-being of your pets. Here are just some of the trusted names you’ll find in our stores:
Supporting Local, One Paw at a Time
By choosing Global Pet Foods, you’re not just buying pet products; you’re part of a movement that supports local communities, manufacturers, and small businesses. Visit your nearest Global Pet Foods store to explore our wide selection of high-quality brands and give your pets the very best.
Because when it comes to pet nutrition, there’s nothing better than supporting local communities and feeding fresh, wholesome goodness.
*Always check the label, and if you’re unsure where a product is made, ask our in-store pet experts. Some Canadian brands manufacture in both Canadian and international facilities.
Much like dogs and cats, many smaller critter companions need help maintaining their dental health too. The presence of bacteria after eating, that build plaque and tartar on the teeth, can expose them to periodontal disease and a potential risk to their kidneys, heart and/or liver. They are also prone to experiencing other dental issues that cats or dogs do not suffer from.
For instance, rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas have continuously growing/erupting cheek teeth and incisors (the small ones up front). Hamsters, gerbils and other small rodents have continuously growing teeth as well but only the incisors. These teeth must be worn down or they can cause dental issues like root impaction, reserve crown disease, abscesses and sharp spurs that can cut their cheeks and/or tongue. Misalignment of teeth is common, and many health conditions are secondary to these dental problems.
Common signs of periodontal disease in small animals;
More severe signs are nasal discharge, eye discharge, bulging eyes or discharge under jaw.
Including enough rough fibre by using long stem hays/grasses like Timothy Hay in their diet can help wear down the teeth, as it requires the side-to-side grinding motion that helps control dental growth. Toys like chew blocks, hanging chew charms, grass rings/balls, and sticks (of appropriate wood and size) are great choices to help the balance between tooth growth and tooth wear, and keeps them stimulated and entertained.
Ferrets are true carnivores, like cats, and can benefit from the same dental care, whether you choose toothbrushing, chews or raw meaty bones to work off the plaque and tartar. It is always a good idea to regularly check your pet’s teeth and oral health. Ferrets are prone to breaking their canines by chewing on the cage, exposing them to tooth-root infection.
When it comes to birds’ dental health, they do not have teeth and do not suffer from the resulting diseases. However, much like teeth, beaks can be misaligned, and overgrown, and regular maintenance may be required. To avoid any health issues resulting from an overgrown beak, use chew toys to help wear the beak down and prevent too much growth.
The category of reptiles is so large and covers many different species, so I will briefly touch on a few. Not all reptiles have teeth; turtles and tortoises do not, where as most snakes and lizards do. The common signs of periodontal disease are decreased water or food intake, thickening saliva, yellow plaque or puss, swelling of oral tissue or face (seek veterinary attention). Some snakes and lizards replace their teeth constantly while some take months or years to replace and may require care to avoid damaging them. This would include feeding only the specialized diets these species are meant to eat and nothing too hard that could break their teeth. The most common dental issues these species encounter is mouth rot or ulcerative stomatitis, which is an infection in the gums and mouth caused by small cuts and food stuck in their oral cavity. Snakes and lizards are most vulnerable. If you see food stuck in the oral cavity it is suggested to gently open the mouth, and remove item with a soft, small cotton swab. Keep in mind that the smaller the reptile the more fragile they are.
Bearded Dragons’ dental structures differ from other reptiles as their teeth are directly rooted into their jawbones, and as such they are predisposed to infection and inflammation to the bone. When their teeth are lost/damaged they are not replaced, like chameleons. Best prevention is to regularly clean the teeth. It’s suggested about every other day or at least once a week. Typically done with a dampened cotton swab to rub the plaque off the teeth.
The key to good dental health with small animals and exotics is a proper diet, regular care and the proper toys to limit plaque build up and work off any presence of tartar and of course, check ups with the Veterinarian when needed.
If your child wants a pet and you’re not sure that your family is ready for a dog or a cat, you may want to start ‘small’ and add a guinea pig, hamster, or a rabbit to your family. Small animals make great companions for both young children and adults. The Healthy Pet Care Specialists at Global Pet Foods stores can help you with adopting a small animal.
While it may seem that small animals are easier to care for than dogs or cats, small animals still need daily care.
It’s important that your small animal gets used to you and other members of the household as soon as you bring them home. They also need to become accustomed to being handled. If your child is going to be the ‘primary’ caregiver, ensure that they are involved with the pet right from the beginning.
Feeding your new pet a small treat is a great way to have them warm up to you. When they’re comfortable with that, you can carefully pick them up with one hand supporting the bottom, the other over the back. Hold him for a short time at first, and then gradually increase your time with him.
The best way to safely approach rabbits is to start by stroking the top of their head. Do not offer your hand to a bunny to sniff in the same way that you would to a dog, because most seem to find this gesture offensive and may attack (lightning fast lunge with a snort). Most bunnies don’t like to have the tips of their noses or chins touched. Their feet also tend to be ticklish.
Teach your child to be very gentle with their new pet.
We often overlook the importance of providing daily activity for small animals – guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and rabbits – because they seem to enjoy the comfort of their cages. But they need companionship and activity for their overall health and wellbeing too. If you have multiple small animals, they will enjoy playing together. Small animals will also provide great entertainment when they start moving outside of their cages.
All small animals should partake in both physical and mental exercises every day. Most of the activities will relate to their burrowing and chewing instincts. A running wheel is the most important piece of equipment to ensure that hamsters or guinea pigs get daily exercise. Hamsters typically run a distance of about eight miles per night.
TIP: Buy a running wheel without an axle if your pet has a long tail.
Another popular toy that provides great exercise, mental stimulation and entertainment is a polycarbonate plastic ball. Your small animal will love the freedom and exercise as their legs give the ball motion to roll around the room. This allows them to be outside of their cage, and ensures they can’t escape! Your pet can overexert itself, so give them a rest after 15 or 20 minutes of being in the ball.
Small animals have natural burrowing and tunneling instincts, so a great option to facilitate this is tunneling equipment.
Although cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels can be used, they will end up being shredded quickly. Buy a cage that is equipped with tunnels. Even ferrets are very curious and will love playing in tunnels (appropriately sized, of course!). Please ensure that the diameter of the components is the right size for your pets. It’s also important that the components are easy to remove and reassemble because you’ll need to clean and disinfect them on a weekly basis.
Some small animals, such as ferrets and rats like to climb. Adding bird perches, bird swings and climbing branches to their cages will encourage this. They may get chewed up, but that’s part of your pet’s play too!
Gnawing is a favourite activity for small animals. To help maintain your small animal’s dental health, ensure that you provide chew toys. There are vegetable flavoured or plain wood chew toys in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes available, as well as hard alfalfa cubes. Some pets, like bunnies, guinea pigs and chinchillas must chew. Their teeth keep growing just like your hair and fingernails do. Gnawing is how they keep their teeth trimmed. With trim teeth, they can keep chewing their food. Without chew toys they will chew on the food bowls and even on their cages. Hamster’s teeth grow continuously, so your pet will need to chew – a lot – to keep their chompers in tip-top condition.
Harnesses and leads work well with ferrets. Even bunnies and guinea pigs can be harness-trained when they are young. Harnesses and leads allow you to take your pet outside and keep them from getting away from you and from getting into things. Most harnesses can be adjusted to fit the size of your small animal.
Be sure to provide the appropriate food for your small animal and water every day. Check the cage for chewed or damaged areas, where your pet could escape. Remove any old food and check the toys to be sure they are still working and in good condition. Your small animal’s cage should be kept in a safe and comfortable area in your home; cages should not be placed in drafty areas or in direct sunlight.
Global Pet Foods has a wide variety of products suitable for small animals. We can help you select the right products that are appropriate for your pet and provide you with guidance on caring for your small companion.
