Walk down any residential street in the early hours and you’ll find one inescapable fact: Dogs are popular pets in America. In fact, 70-80 million dogs are owned in the United States and approximately 37-47% of all households in the United States have a dog. As dog lovers, we’re well aware of how dogs enrich our lives, making us happier and healthier overall. But there are also some benefits of dog ownership that you may have never considered! Here are just a few of the countless mental and physical perks of being a pup parent (many backed by scientific evidence).
Dogs Help Us Socialize
Have you ever thought of your dog as your wing-man? You already know how good a friend your dog can be. What you might not have noticed is how much more you talk to other people when you’re out with your dog. Doing activities with your dog such as going to pet stores, dog parks, or special events is great for both you and your furry friend, as it is a great way to meet new people and mingle with other dogs and dog lovers. A study by Britain’s Warwick University found that 40% of people reported making friends much easier as a result of owning a dog.
Dogs Help Us Stay Active
Owning a dog can motivate you to exercise every day. it’s harder to skip your morning run when your exercise partner is bouncing excitedly at the door with his Hands Free Bungee Leash in his mouth. Taking your dog for a 30 minute walk every day can greatly improve your health.
Evidence is starting to show that children with dogs have a 50% lower chance of being overweight, as compared with those without. With all the running and walking involved in playing with the family dog, even in the house, maybe this isn’t so surprising after all.
Dogs Boost Your Mood
Did you know that dogs can actually improve your mood? Research has shown that it only takes a mere 15–30 minutes with your pet to feel more relaxed and calm. Playing with your dog also raises your brain’s levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters that are associated with pleasure and tranquility. Psychologists from Miami and St. Louis Universities found that the benefits of having a canine companion can be equivalent to having a human companion. Looks like pooches can get your tail wagging!
Dogs Are Better than Medicine
In addition to boosting your mood, your dog is also great for your health. Your body reaps a lot of benefits from having your fur baby around. Dog owners have been found to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, fewer heart attacks Researchers have also noticed that pet-owners tend to have shorter stays in the hospital and fewer visits to the doctor’s office.
Dogs Help Relieve Stress
Another great yet unexpected benefit of owning a dog is that they are masters at helping us relieve stress and feel calm. According to a study from SUNY Buffalo (2006), 240 married couples with dogs were subjected to various types of stressful tasks where they were either alone, with their spouse or were able to see their dog before or after the task. Unsurprisingly, the lowest responses to stress were among those who were allowed to see their dogs. Maybe there should be a mandatory “bring your dog to work” day, unless of course you’re a pet sitter/dog walker for The Purr-fect Paw.
Dogs Help Kids Grow Stronger
Getting your little one a furry companion can be beneficial! We all value our health and dogs can actually help contribute to keeping your child healthy just by being part of the family! According to Science Daily, kids who grow up with dogs in the home have fewer allergies and are less likely to have eczema. Kids with dogs in the home also have fewer sick days and grow up with higher levels of certain immune system supporters that keep them in tip-top shape as they get older.
Dogs Help Us Understand Cancer
Did you know that dogs and humans get the same type of cancer? Science Daily states that due to the similarities in the disease, dogs with cancer can help us to discover more about the disease itself and in turn, we can help advance treatment for cancer in dogs as well. There aren’t any unethical tests or procedures being performed on dogs, the medical field just takes the opportunity to study the cancer and discover new methods for treatment.
Dogs Can Help Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Clearly, dogs are extremely helpful in helping people deal with medical issues. Dogs have been found to be beneficial to people with various medical issues, but especially with those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Dogs help people with RA to move more often and encourage play as well as helping them get their mind off of their condition. Dogs are great motivators to get moving and they sure are good at distracting us from things!
Dogs Are Therapeutic for Kids with ADHA
Pet Wiki and WebMD agree that dogs make great pets for kids diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Your child can release excess energy by playing with the dog and caring for the pet will also help teach your child responsibility. Dogs can also help calm your child. Many therapists have used dogs in treatment as they seem to have a calming effect on both adults and children and help people feel more at ease during treatment.
Dogs Can Make You a Better Person
We spend a lot of time training our dogs but those furry creatures teach us a lot, too. Having a dog teaches us patience, commitment and selflessness. Caring for a dog takes a lot of responsibility and commitment, and it also teaches us to be more patient and less selfish. You also learn to be less focused on yourself and more patient, as pets can sometimes test the patience of even the most tolerant people.