養寵物的諸多好處

來自專欄夏面雙語新聞

Having pets really is good for your well-being.

養寵物真的可以讓人變得幸福。

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.

一項針對55歲以上狗和貓主人的最新研究發現，這些和動物成為朋友的人更加的開心和幸福，而且他們鍛煉的頻率也更高。

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.

專家稱，遛狗、給狗撿糞便等細微行為對人們大有好處，而且主人和寵物的友好關係能讓促進人們大腦中產生更多的「感覺良好」化學物質。

The study commissioned by UK retirement home builder McCarthy & Stone surveyed 1,000 British dog and cat owners.

英國養老院建築商麥卡錫和石調查了1000名狗和貓的主人。

And, they found a number of trends among those with pets.

另外，他們還在這些寵物主人的身上出現了一系列趨勢。

Pet owners reported nearly twice as much exercise as those without, at five times per week versus three.

據稱，養寵物的人的運動量比不養寵物的人多兩次，他們每周運動五次，而那些沒有養寵物的人每周運動三次。

『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.

「養寵物的好處多多，其中包括他們在遛狗時所做的有氧運動，還有喂狗和清掃狗的糞便等輕鬆的家務運動，」心理學家和作者科琳.斯威特說道。

Pet owners were also more likely to be married, have a child, and be happy with their job.

養狗的人結婚和生子的可能性更高，而且他們對自己的工作更加滿意。

They even earned an average of almost $5,200 more per year than non-pet owners, and volunteered for charities more frequently.

和沒有養狗的人比起來，他們每年的平均工資要高5200美元，他們做的志願者和慈善工作的頻率更高。

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，養寵物的人還完了房貸的可能性更大，每69個養寵物的人中有60人已還完貸款。

They also retired sooner, at 46 percent compared to 35.

他們退休的時間較早，46個寵物主人中的35人退休得較早。

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.

受訪者稱，他們從遛狗中獲得了很多的好處，有16%的人稱是寵物增進了他們與外界的交流。

For many, this also did away with feelings of loneliness.

養狗還讓許多人遠離了孤獨感。

『The psychological and emotional benefits of pet ownership are well-known among mental health professionals,』 Sweet said.

斯威特說：「養狗人在「心理和情感」方面收穫的益處在健康專業人士中有口皆碑。」

『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.

「和家畜保持親密關係可以增加『感覺良好』的化學物質，比如內啡肽和催產素，它們可以讓寵物主人在家庭生活中更加的放鬆、平靜和愉快。」

『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.』

「寵物主人還可能會和他們的寵物進行交流。當主人難受、悲傷和孤獨時，寵物們會像朋友一樣安慰他們，讓他們感覺到溫暖。」

DO CATS RULE THE HOUSEHOLD? STUDY SHOWS THEY BULLY DOGS

貓是家中的主人嗎？研究發現，貓會欺負狗

In a study of homes with both pets, more than half of owners say their cat has lashed out threateningly at their dog.

在一項寵物家庭的研究中，半數的寵物主人說他們的貓會攻擊狗。

Yet fewer than one in five have seen their dog menace their cat.

然而，少於五分之一的人看到過家裡的狗恐嚇家裡的貓。

Some 56.5 per cent said their cat had threatened their dog, compared with 18 per cent whose dog had threatened the cat.

56.5%的人稱，貓會威脅狗，18%的人寵物主人說是狗在威脅貓。

And although cats are typically smaller than dogs, they still manage to inflict injury on their domestic rivals. Almost a tenth of owners reported their cat had injured the dog, but fewer than 1 per cent said their dog had harmed the cat.

雖然貓的個頭一般要比狗更小，他們也會抓傷家裡的狗。約有十分之一的寵物主人稱他們的貓傷害了狗，不到1%的人稱他們家的狗傷害了貓。

The findings come from a study of almost 750 owners, who overwhelmingly believe cat is king.

這個研究結果來自於一項涉及750個寵物主人的研究，大部分人都認為貓才是家裡的主宰者。

While dogs and cats can live together amicably, they said, it is rarely a 『close relationship』 – and whether they get on at all is mainly up to the cat. Cats that are frequently uncomfortable around dogs were less likely to form an amicable relationship, they added.

他們說，雖然狗和貓也能和諧共處，但是它們很難建立親密的友誼，它們是否能友好共處主要取決於貓的態度。如果貓在狗面前總是感覺不舒適，它們就很難和狗形成良好關係，他們補充說道。

Study co-author Dr Sophie Hall, of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Lincoln, said: 『On the face of it, these results suggest that the cat is the kingpin in a household with dogs. They are the princess and the dog is lower down in the hierarchy.

研究報告的合著者林肯大學生命科學系的博士索菲.哈爾稱：「這些結果表明，從表面上看來，在一個貓狗共處的家中，貓才是主人。論等級，貓是公主，狗是僕人。」

『It may be that cats』 threatening acts are more obvious to owners, as they hiss or strike out with their paws at a dog.

在主人看來，貓威脅性的動作更明顯，因為它們經常會向狗發出噓聲和用爪子襲擊它們。

But it may also be the case that cats are less domesticated in their behaviours. It is important to note that these findings are the owners』 perceptions of their pets』 relationships, but it seems that the cat has to be happy and content, rather than the dog, for them to live happily together.』

「但是也有可能是因為貓更加難以馴服。應該考慮這些研究結果是基於主人對於寵物關係的看法，但是貓的開心和滿足程度看上去才是貓狗能否和諧共處的關鍵。」

The study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, said that cats and dogs may get along better if the cat is younger when they begin sharing a space.

這項發表在了《獸醫行為》雜誌上的研究結果稱，和狗從小就在一起貓更可能和狗成和睦相處。

source: People who have pets are happier and more successful, study says