1. Cats, for one thing. Felines are absolutely essential for reducing blood pressure, stress, and the likelihood of developing heart disease within humans. The relaxing purr that we receive from a cat as it curls up in our laps has a calming effect on our brains, which in turn calms our heart and lungs, reducing our heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate.

2. Man's best friend, the dog, ranks next. Even though dogs are typically more noisy and energetic with their greetings than cats as you stroll through the front door, their active, bouncy personality triggers a playful consciousness within our brains. This sensation, like many others, throws our minds focus off the negative side effects of the day, therefore banishing the stress, reducing blood pressure, and reducing the likelihood of us contracting heart disease.

3. Finally, fish rank third among the stress-relieving pets. And when we talk about fish, I mean any type of fish that you can possibly have as a pet. But how do fish calm the human brain in a time of utter madness and frustration? Surprisingly, just their daily activity of swimming back and forth within their tank relieves anxiety and stress. This is because watching fish swim in circles produces an effect on the brain similar to a tranquilizer, almost putting it under hypnosis. This effect causes the brain, heart, and lungs to relax into a state of serenity.

Finally, any other domesticated animal serving as a pet can also greatly reduce anxiety, stress, blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and the risk for developing heart disease. Although not mentioned in this list, just having a pet in company is the secret to a healthy heart and mind. Just remember this famous quote by Immanuel Kant and keep it in mind: "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."

Source: Sun-Journal Lewiston, Me. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.

We've got more benefits of pet ownership.

Do you have a furry friend? Post his or her picture in our all pets album.

From flirting to dating to marriage ... Our Relationships & Love newsletter has the best advice for your relationship.