Dogs have been called “man’s best friend” since forever. They give unconditional love, are completely devoted, and loyal companions through life’s ups and downs. But more than this, living with dogs also has a lot of health benefits.
The dog improved health benefits that humans get range from physical, psychological, and emotional. And these are not perceived benefits but scientifically proven, showing how dogs take care of us as much as we take care of them.
Improves Heart Health
Having a dog can fill your heart with joy. And while this in itself is already a wonderful benefit of having a dog, they actually make your heart healthier, and this is a big deal. According to the CDC, someone suffers a heart attack every 40 seconds in the U.S. alone.
But having a dog reduces the chances of getting one. Studies have shown that owning a dog reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. All of this combines to better cardiovascular health. And a healthier heart means lesser chances of getting heart attacks and living longer.
Increases Physical Activity
One of the cornerstones of good health is regular exercise, something that not everyone makes time for. However, owning a dog will force you to get out of the couch and get some needed physical activity.
Dogs need their exercise too and there’s no one else they can do it with but you. Whether it’s a walk in the park or a jog around the block, dog owners get their exercise with their dogs. Having an active breed increases your activity level more.
This contributes to your overall health, with healthy bones and joints to help you be mobile even as you get older.
Helps With Weight Loss
About the previous point, getting your exercise not just keeps you healthy, but also helps you lose weight. A dog owner spends an average of 300 minutes walking with their dog. Even a moderate amount of exercise because of dog walking can result in losing a few extra pounds.
Improves Social Life
Meeting new people can be daunting for some people but that’s not the case for dog owners. Research has shown that people who own dogs are 40% more likely to make friends. This is mostly because dog owners get to meet fellow dog owners when they’re out for a walk.
The love for canines makes it easier to connect with new people because there’s something in common to talk about. Dog owners often share stories about their furry friends and are more excited and outgoing because of it.
Lowers Stress Levels
When you’re all stressed out, one sure-fire way of alleviating stress and anxiety is by having a dog. Studies have proven that engaging your dog reduces stress levels significantly. Whether it’s your pet or a therapy dog, just petting your best bud lowers blood pressure and relaxes tense muscles.
In fact, some companies have already adopted a bring your dog to work because of such benefits. Interacting with dogs at work has been shown to decrease the stress levels of employees throughout the day.
Bringing dogs to work also makes employees take more breaks to engage with their dogs, which makes them more energized when they get back to work. This kind of energy leads to increased productivity and better performance.
Provides Companionship
The love a dog gives to its human is unconditional. Dogs will be by your side even when other people can’t. This kind of love and emotional support can help fight social isolation or loneliness, especially as we grow older and it gets more difficult to find meaning or structure in your day.
Dogs are considered family members and not just merely as pets for many dog owners. This is because they provide the love and comfort you need since they can also sense when you’re not feeling well emotionally.
Makes Us Happier
The interactions you have with your dog releases oxytocin, also known as the happy hormones, in you and your dog. The increased levels of oxytocin is an instant mood booster. This can help give you a more positive outlook on life regularly.
Aside from this, research has shown that dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression. Even the clinically depressed can get out of a depressive episode with the help of their dog.
Having a dog forces people to go out for their activity requirements, however minimal. This gives an opportunity to interact with other people and boost one’s sense of wellbeing.
Reduces Visits to the Doctor
Dog owners over 65 years have been proven to visit doctors 30% less often than those without any canine companions. This is because owning a dog has an impact on the cognitive functions of older people.
This also has to do with the lower stress levels people experience with dogs in their lives. High levels of stress can lead to many health issues but because having dogs lowers this, it reduces the need to visit the doctor for health concerns.
Helps Fight Off Diseases and Injury
There is an increasing buzz on how dogs can now detect cancer in the human body. Dog owners reported that their dogs often smell or lick moles or lumps in their bodies. This prompted them to have it checked out and discovered that they were cancerous. This has been finally backed up by scientific evidence, which resulted in cancer sniffing dogs.
Aside from this, service dogs provide great assistance to differently-abled people, from those with brain injuries to autism. They enable people to navigate their surroundings safely, preventing injuries.
Helps Us Get Through A Crisis
Having a dog in your life can help you overcome a crisis and this has been evident in army veterans with PTSD. A recent study has shown how army veterans with PTSD did physiologically and psychologically better when they had service dogs compared to those without. Those army vets with service dogs also showed fewer signs of PTSD and have shown improved coping skills.
Dogs are more than just pets. These furry family members are a big reason why we have happier and healthier lives when we have them with us. And the dog improved health benefits we get are proof of that.