5 Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

Ask any dog owner and they are bound to tell you how amazing their dog is in every way possible. Dogs are trusty companions that offer their unconditional love, as long as you treat them well. They’ll stick by your side when you’re feeling down and they’ll protect you when you’re in danger.

Not only are dogs cute and loyal but they’re also entertaining. Watching a dog chase its tail or play with random sticks in the park can provide you with hours of fun.

All of the positive benefits of owning a dog might sound obvious but there is scientific research to back all of this information. Studies show that dogs can have positive effects on your physical and mental health in a number of ways.

It’s important to consider your unique circumstances before you get your first dog. They are a long-term commitment and they take a lot of work.

You will need to feed them with a tailored dog food from Pure Pet Food, take them on daily walks, and get the right treatment if they are ill or sick. But as long as you take good care of your pup and you show them lots of love, they will return the gesture.

In this article, we’re going to cover the evidence-based health benefits of having a furry friend by your side.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), building a strong relationship with a pet can boost the health of your heart.

A large-scale study that the AHA completed back in 2013 showed that just 6% of individuals who survived a heart attack owned a dog. The same study also indicated that elderly individuals who lived alone were 33% more likely to survive a heart attack if they owned a dog.

The heart-protective effects of owning a dog are caused by a number of different things. Firstly, having a companion can reduce negative emotions and stress. When you feel less stressed, your cortisol levels decrease and this lowers your blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, dog owners exhibit lower blood pressure and, as a result, are less likely to suffer from heart problems later on in life.

Increased Activity

Dogs love to run around outside and regular exercise is necessary to keep them healthy. Most of the time, you will need to get active with your furry companion, whether it’s taking them on a daily walk or running around the park with them.

Dogs can encourage you to move more and get outside in nature. You become more active without actively trying to increase your steps or move more. Studies show that dog owners exercise for around 300 minutes each week compared to non-dog owners who walked for less than half of this.

Playing fetch or having a quick run around the garden increases your heart rate and gets your muscles working in a fun and engaging way. You can lose weight, get fit, and improve your energy levels all while enjoying time with your furry companion.

Lower Stress Levels

There’s a reason that pet therapy is usually successful in reducing anxiety and stress for adults and children. Dogs have a naturally calming and therapeutic effect, and they can give you all of the motivation that you need to get on with your day.

Spending just a few minutes with your dog each day can reduce your blood pressure and lower your anxiety levels by increasing serotonin in your brain. Some studies suggest that owning a dog can be just as therapeutic as practising yoga and meditation each day.

Lower stress levels are associated with decreased risk of illness and disease and improved mental health.

Companionship and Reduced Loneliness

Dogs really are a man’s best friend. They will stay by your side through thick and thin.

Many studies show that for those who live alone, having a dog can prevent feelings of loneliness. Having a trust companion with you at all times provides the social support that you might be missing from other humans!

Dogs also provide you with lots of opportunities to meet new people. When you’re taking them on a walk around the block, you might end up chatting with a neighbour. If you take them for a run in the park, you can join other dog walkers.

Your dog provides companionship even when you’re not outside. If you’re in need of a quick hug and a bit of oxytocin, your furry friend can provide this. They are there for physical, emotional, and social support, in an unconditional way.

Improved Gut Microbiome

Owning a dog may help to balance the good bacteria in your gut and decrease the potentially harmful bacteria in your gut. This might sound odd or unrealistic and you might be wondering ‘how is this possible?’.

Dogs naturally have a different microbiome than humans and exposing yourself to a more diverse range of microbes can boost your own microbiome.

Your gut microbiome comprised all the microbes that live inside your gut and they are extremely important. They help to break down ingested foods to provide you with extra nutrients.

The microorganisms in your gut also produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have been shown to improve a range of functions in your body. SCFAs may also improve the communication between your gut and brain.

Around 90% of the serotonin in your body and 70% of your immune system stem from your gut. So, balancing your gut microbiome by exposing yourself to your dog’s microbes can boost your mental health, protect you from disease, and reduce digestive issues like IBS.

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