Have you experienced the unconditional love of a cat or a dog? Have you ever buried your face in a pet's soft fur and — for a delightful moment or two — felt a moment of peace and tranquility? Many people have.

But the value of a pet extends well beyond moments like these. Your pet may actually help keep you healthy.

If you already have a pet, you likely know it takes a bit of work. But the work often pays off. Dogs need regular walks — which gets you out walking, too. And the health benefits of walking are well documented. On the other hand, a pet may be able to sense your moods and seek you out when you need some care — offering a warm nuzzle or, in the case of a cat, simply resting in your lap and purring.

Here's how living with and caring for a cherished animal can positively affect your health. Living with and caring for a pet may:

• Protect your heart after a heart attack. Scientists have found that people who owned dogs were more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack than were people who didn't own dogs.
• Protect your heart and blood vessels and help you cope with stress. In comparisons of the heart rate and blood pressure of people without pets versus those of pet-owners, people with pets had lower heart rates and blood pressure levels. An added benefit was that people with pets also had less increase in their heart rate and blood pressure when put under stress. Their blood pressure also dropped faster after a stressful event.
• Help you manage your blood pressure. People being treated for high blood pressure with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor received additional blood pressure-lowering benefits while under stress if they also owned a pet.
• Improve your mood and sense of well-being. Studies of older adults have found that those who shared their lives with pets were less likely to experience depression, were better able to tolerate living alone, and were more active than were their counterparts who didn't have pets. In people with AIDS, those who owned pets experienced less depression than did people with AIDS who didn't have pets. Pets may also reduce feelings of loneliness among nursing home residents.

If you want to include a dog, cat or other animal as part of your household, start by asking yourself these questions:

• Do you have time for a pet? Cats, dogs and other animals need your time. They also need food, water, exercise and your companionship on a daily basis. If you travel a lot, consider how you'll arrange care for your pet or whether your pet can accompany you on your travels. Remember that pets often live for 10, 15 or even 20 years.
• Are you prepared for the financial commitment? Beyond the cost of food, you'll have the cost of veterinary care, licenses and grooming. Be prepared for unanticipated costs, such as replacement costs for damaged furniture or carpeting.
• Are pets allowed where you live? This is an important consideration if you're living in an apartment, a rental property or a retirement community, or you're thinking about moving to one. If you will at some point need to move to a place where pets aren't allowed, you'll need to consider what will happen to your pet.
• Do you have the proper living space? If you're thinking about bringing home a dog, will you have adequate space to accommodate your pet's activity level? Some breeds are more active than others. You may need a yard for your dog to burn off that energy. If you live in an apartment, consider a breed whose barking will not be so loud or frequent as to disturb neighbors.
• Are you physically capable of taking care of a pet? Consider whether you or others in your home have a history of allergies. And if you have physical limitations, be sure you're able to handle a pet.

The companionship and unconditional love a pet provides is priceless. Although time-consuming, the relationship can benefit both you and the pet. The care and nurturing you provide can result in improved health and well-being.