Long-time dog lovers have no doubts about the benefits of owning a dog. Our four-legged friends make perfect companions and show unconditional love and loyalty. Plus, they’re so much fun.
But it’s easy to see the advantages of these amazing pets for people who’ve already got one. If you’re not a dog owner yet, the best perks of having a pup might not be as apparent. In that case, you might be surprised by how dogs can improve your mental and physical health.
Here are the greatest health benefits of owning a dog for all members of the household.
General Health Benefits
Having a dog as a companion can be generally healthy. In fact, this is true even if that companionship is temporary, as is showcased by animal therapy – a widely adopted practice in various health centres.
Advantages of dog ownership can apply to every family member, from kids to grandparents.
Better Heart Health
Having a dog may be good for your heart. This benefit is largely due to the pup’s exercise requirements. Most dogs love to play and enjoy moderate to long walks. Both activities boost the cardiovascular system, potentially reducing the risk of heart attack.
Surprisingly, there might be a connection between owning a dog and having lower triglyceride, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. The evidence for these physiological benefits isn’t definitive, but studies cited by Harvard Health Publishing point to a correlation.
Alleviating Loneliness
The following advantage comes as less of a surprise. Dogs can make people feel less lonely, which is rather logical considering how loving, cuddly, and quietly supportive pups can be.
Owners can develop profound relationships with their pets. Although a dog can’t substitute human company, it can help stave off loneliness and be there for you when no one else is around.
Maintaining an Active Lifestyle
Similar to the heart benefits, a more active lifestyle comes with various other advantages. Daily walks and playing with your dog can promote lung capacity and muscle development. Plus, regular activity may help combat several health issues.
Walk your dog every day and you might reduce the risk of conditions like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. For younger family members, playtime is an excellent opportunity for some exercise.
Combating Stress
Dogs are often used in therapy for combating anxiety and stress. It’s enough to spend 10 minutes petting your dog, and the calming effects start to set in.
Interestingly, quality time with your pup doesn’t affect you only psychologically. There are measurable physical effects, too. Your muscles relax, alleviating tension, your breathing and heart rate slow down, and blood pressure gets lower.
In fact, a study by Pendry and Vandagriff (Washington State University) found lower cortisol levels in students who spent time with pets in an animal visitation program. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone.
Military veterans suffering from PTSD have shown progress in coping with symptoms with the help of service dogs. Furthermore, veterans with service dogs have experienced fewer PTSD symptoms overall.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
It’s not particularly surprising that owning a dog can help you maintain weight or even lose excessive weight. As highlighted before, most dogs require at least a moderate amount of daily activity. This includes the necessary walks and, often, quite active play.
While walking is beneficial in itself, many people have a hard time staying disciplined and going for a walk regularly. However, when you own a dog, daily walks become a responsibility. Consequently, dog owners tend to adopt this healthy habit easier.
About half an hour of walking your dog every day keeps you in better shape. This activity may help you lose up to 14 pounds a year without additional exercise.
How Kids Benefit From Growing Up With a Dog
As useful as they are for adults, dogs can be precious for kids, particularly in terms of a healthy psychological and physical development.
Making Kids Feel Secure
The unconditional love and warmth that dogs display can reinforce a sense of security in kids. After all, their four-legged friend will be around whenever it’s needed and will provide unquestionable affection without criticism.
Kids will feel safe with their pup when their parents are out. With a loyal dog following them around, children won’t have anything to fear.
Improving Self-Image
Some children struggle with confidence, which can be detrimental later in life. However, having constant companionship from their dogs can boost a kid’s self-image considerably.
In addition to all the love and support a child may get from parents and family, a loyal dog will provide an extra boost to the kid’s sense of worth. In the long run, this may help children develop into stronger individuals.
Learning to Develop Relationships
Forming emotional attachments and relationships with people outside of the immediate family circle can be tough for children. In that sense, a family pet may be the first opportunity to practice bonding, particularly for smaller kids.
Getting used to companionship may help children develop social skills once they get out into the world and connecting with their peers.
Calming Influence
Dogs have a calming effect on people, particularly hyperactive children. This is the same effect as pups have on adults. However, with restless kids, this influence can be even more valuable, helping them regain focus and pace themselves better throughout the day.
This benefit comes with a caveat. For a dog to be helpful in calming a child, both need to be taught how to act properly in company. Having a pup with a naturally mild temper might be additionally useful here.
Learning Empathy
While dogs are loyal companions, willing to follow and protect their families at all times, they also need plenty of care and understanding. Teaching kids to treat their pets with love and compassion can help develop empathy.
Children often interact with their dogs more openly. This practice may teach kids to share their thoughts and emotions with other people, too.
Understanding Responsibility
Caring for a pet is an excellent way for kids to learn about responsibilities. Dogs require regular walking, feeding, grooming, and play. Although a child doesn’t have to take all these tasks on themselves, delegating some responsibilities to them will prove useful.
Learning to be responsible on a daily level can create a sense for discipline. What’s more, kids may develop better work habits and ethics, which will be invaluable later in life.
The Benefits of Dog Ownership for the Elderly
On the opposite end of the age scale, older people have specific needs and lifestyles. Yet, having a dog at a later age can be just as helpful as owning a pet as a child. Of course, the benefits will be different – rather than helping develop new personality traits or habits, dogs can reinvigorate the lives of the elderly in various ways.
Rediscovering Life Joy
Retirement means there’s no more going to work every day. Plus, the family home might look empty if the kids have moved away. All these changes can be detrimental to a person’s sense of purpose, self-worth, and general morale. Owning a dog can bring back the joy of an active lifestyle. And if it’s an adopted rescue dog, providing them with a home will be especially meaningful.
A joyful companion pup will liven up the everyday life of an elderly person. The pet will introduce a new dynamic to the home, preventing things from becoming stale.
Boosting Energy
The mature years usually bring a reduction in activity. Less movement on a daily level affects overall vitality and may exacerbate existing physical challenges. In this situation, having a dog can impact an older person’s lifestyle.
Fun and playful, dogs inspire a more active daily life and are a great source of entertainment. All this brings a boost to energy levels and improves immunity. As a result, older people will feel revitalised and look forward to daily activities with their pets.
A pup, with its regular exercise and play requirements, may prevent its elderly owner from becoming too sedentary. Spending more time on your feet will stave off many maladies that often accompany the ageing process.
Making New Connections
Growing older unfortunately comes with a less active social life. Family and friends may relocate further away, get preoccupied with their own life events, or, sadly, become ill or pass away. Advanced age also makes it harder to form new friendships.
Dogs provide an excellent motivation to get out of the house and spend time in public with other dog owners. Playful pups are often great conversation-starters, bridging the initial social gap between people with potentially similar interests.
Taking a dog for a walk will present an opportunity to meet others and develop new relationships.
Want a Happy and Healthy Home? Get a Dog
Getting a new pup can light up every household. Playful, loyal, and loving, dogs make the whole family happier and, more importantly, healthier. With all of the benefits, every home should consider a four-legged companion. For most, it will be the best decision they’ve made in a long time.