8 Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

Everyone agrees that dogs are man’s best friend. They’re alway happy to see you, they can fetch your slippers, and they’re easy to train.

Did you know they can also be good for your health? Having any sort of pet can be good for our emotional and physical well-being, but dogs are especially beneficial. If you haven’t invested in a pooch, here are some great reasons to do so.

  1. You’ll Get More Exercise

When you have a dog that needs daily exercise, you’ll get more exercise too. This will help you to avoid skipping your workout on the days when you feel least motivated. Your dog needs to go for a walk and do his business, and you’ll have to follow.

  1. You’ll Gain Emotional Support

Emotional disabilities are more common than many people realize. Emotional support dogs are a variety of service animal that can help patients perform simple tasks and avoid emotional breakdowns. With the help of a dog, people with emotional disabilities can find a way to live a normal life.

  1. You’ll Get a Social Life

You can’t help but make a few friends when you have a cute, social animal at your side. Dogs make great wingmen, whether you’re looking to attract the opposite sex or make a friend at the dog park.

A British university study showed that 40 percent of people find that it’s easier to make friends when you have a dog.

  1. Dogs Relieve Stress

The human race is no stranger to stress, whether work-related or personal. Dogs, however, don’t understand the stress hormone. In fact, they repel it.

They naturally flee from stressors rather than try to deal with them, and they help humans to repel stress as well. Playing, going for walks, and even sitting next to a dog will all help you relax.

  1. Your Kids Will Avoid Allergies

Children who are raised around dogs are less likely to have allergies later. Living with a dog helps them build up immunity that protects them in the future. Their immunity in general improves, which means fewer sick days and better health with age.

  1. Arthritis Pain Will Decrease

Dogs can reduce the pain from medical conditions such as arthritis. This is because they help their owners to exercise and become more fit.

As you play with your dog, go on walks, and stay moving due to the duties of caring for a dog, you’ll see improved joint movement and less pain from arthritis.

  1. You’ll Dodge More Serious Health Conditions

Dogs are great medicine for serious health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol. According to Harvard Health, people who own a dog have fewer medical problems and are able to cope with their medical issues more fully.

  1. Your Mood Will Lift

Dog owners are much less likely to be depressed. Caring for a dog helps to relieve symptoms of depression and gives you a more positive perspective on life. Even the simple daily habit to feed the dog can have long last benefits throughout the day.

 

Research shows that it takes just 15 to 30 minutes with your pet to feel better about life. Interaction with a beloved animal raises levels of dopamine and serotonin that are associated with pleasure, a natural antidepressant.