3. Blood Pressure
You probably had an idea that this might be another positive side effect of pet ownership after learning how pets help relieve stress. With lower stress levels, come lower blood pressure levels as well. Having a pet may even allow people with high blood pressure to reduce or eliminate their medication. One study found that people who were already being treated with blood pressure-lowering medication experienced a further drop in blood pressure when they got a pet, even resulting in stress-related blood pressure levels that were half as high as they previously were.