We love our pets every day, but Tuesday reminds us to appreciate them even more: It's National Love Your Pet Day.

Did you know that many homes across America, and certainly across Central Florida, have at least one pet, whether it is furry, scaly, feathered or other? 

The 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook shows that 36.5 percent of households own a dog, with cats making up 30.4 percent and birds coming in at 3.1 percent, according to an article in the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Or in simpler terms, that is:

  • 43,346,000 homes that have a dog
  • 36,117,000 homes that have a cat
  • 3,671,000 households that have a bird

Many owners consider their pets as members of the family. But pets offer more than just companionship.

According to a WebMD.com article, bonding with a pet can be therapeutic for people.

"In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets," the article stated.

So no matter what type of companion you have, National Love Your Pet Day is a good reminder to give him or her an extra hug.