If you already have a furry friend or are considering getting one, check out these 9 unexpected benefits of having a dog.
Most dog lovers know that life is better with a dog. Spending time with your canine companion can be beneficial to your health. Recent research has shown that having a dog is beneficial for physical and mental health.
Dogs make us happier and healthier and help us get through tough times in our lives.
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9 Unexpected Benefits of Having a Dog
WHAT ARE THE UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFITS OF HAVING A DOG?
The human-dog relationship has rewards that can be scientifically proven. The benefits of owning a dog go beyond companionship. Owning a dog can lower your risk of some health problems. Let’s see why you must consider bringing a pooch into your life.
HAVING A DOG MOTIVATES YOU TO EXERCISE EVERYDAY
Taking your furry friend for a 30-minute walk every day can significantly improve your health. Dog owners are nearly four times more physical active than non-dog owners. When you have a dog you spend almost 300 minutes each week walking with your beloved pup. That’s 200 more minutes walking than people without a dog of their own
A DOG MAKES YOU MORE SOCIAL
Walking your dog helps you get exercise, but it can also make you more social. People are more likely to stop and talk to you when walking a dog. Dogs are the perfect way to meet strangers and form new friendships.
DOGS HELP THEIR OWNERS WITH STRESS
There have been many studies that have shown how dogs reduce stress levels. Your canine companion can offer you comfort and ease your worries.
Petting, playing, and watching your dog can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, slow breathing, and relax muscle tension. Research shows that owning a dog reduces stress hormones.
DOGS HELP YOU TO HAVE A HEALTHY HEART
Having a dog can help you live longer. Many studies have shown that dog owners have a lower risk of death.
Petting a dog lowers a person’s heart rate. Some research has shown that dog owners are much more likely to survive a heart attack compared to non-dog owners.
The bond between humans and dogs reduces stress which is the principal cause of cardiovascular problems.
DOGS MAKE YOU FEEL MORE SECURE
A dog can be an effective home security system. Knowing you have a dog that can use its keen sense of hearing to spot anyone lurking around can help increase your sense of security, which is good for your mental and physical health.
HAVING A DOG MAKES US HAPPIER
In addition to the general health benefits of owning a dog, they are natural mood boosters. A 2009 study in Japan found that looking into your dog’s eyes raises your level of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone.
DOGS CAN HELP CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIES
Living in a house with a dog can help children grow up to have immunity to pet allergies later in life.
DOGS HELP SENIORS LIVE A BETTER LIFE
Having a dog benefits seniors in many ways. Dogs help seniors with cognitive function and social interaction.
Alzheimer’s patients have fewer outbursts when there is a dog in the house. Caregivers of elderly patients report less stress.
Dogs also provide excellent companionship for the elderly.
One study found that pet therapy improves the cognitive function of mentally ill residents in long-term care.
DOGS HELP US HAVE FEWER HEALTH PROBLEMS
Dog owners experience fewer health problems and have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners.
Dogs expose their owners to a host of germs, which can help build human immunity to disease. As a result, dog owners get sick less often and less severely than non-dog owners.
DOGS HELP IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Dogs help us psychologically recover from a crisis.
The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine found that military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do better physiologically and psychologically when they have a service dog.
Veterans with a service dog had significantly fewer PTSD symptoms and showed better coping skills.
SERVICE DOGS CAN HELP PEOPLE LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY
There is a difference between emotional support dogs and service dogs. An emotional support dog provides companionship for its owner, while a service dog helps people with disabilities.
For example, service dogs trained to help Alzheimer’s patients provide companionship and help with tracking and tracing if their owner becomes lost.
In conclusion, our four-legged best friend provides unconditional love and support, which is especially important in difficult times. Although people may think that we are taking care of our canine companions, the benefit is mutual: dogs also take care of us, and science confirms it.