No one can argue with the fact that owning a dog brings happiness into the home, unlike any other pet. A dog’s loyalty and love helps people feel less anxious, happier and brings about a friendship that no other thing in the world compares to.
Today we’re going to go a step beyond the obvious benefits of owning a dog, such as home protection and companionship to share some of the science based benefits of owning a dog.
Good for your Heart
Dog owners have been shown to have a reduced risk of having a heart attack than non-pet owning people. The bond between a dog and a human helps reduce stress which helps keep your cardiovascular health in good shape.
Increases your Social Interactions
Watch people in a dog park or the average person walking down the street with their dog, and you’ll notice something. Many people tend to stop and talk to dog owners, asking if they can pet the person’s dog and to discuss the dog. This helps you become more social, which can decrease loneliness.
Keeps You Active
Dogs need daily walks and physical activity, even just the job of having to take your dog out to go to the bathroom helps you get some physical activity. Dog owners have been proven to walk an average of 300 minutes per day whereas non-dog owners walk an average of 168 minutes per day.
Detects Health Issues
Many dogs have been able to detect various illnesses in their owners. Even if you don’t have your dog trained to sense illness, they have a natural ability to know when something is off. This is due to their advanced sense of smell and bonded connection to their owner.
Gives You Something to Take Care Of
Human beings have a natural desire to take care of something. Owning a dog provides you with this natural desire to have something to take care of. Dogs need their owners to feed them, walk them, and bathe them which all translate into you feeling happier because you’re taking care of something.
Makes You More Attractive
Lastly, a dog owner tends to look more attractive to single people. A study that the United Kingdom completed on singles, ultimately showed that 60% of the 700 people questioned said that a person with a dog looks more attractive to them whereas 85% of the same people said that they’re more comfortable approaching someone to talk if they have a dog with them.
These are just some of the many science based benefits of owning a dog that we wanted to share today. The fact of the matter is that owning a dog can bring about some amazing health and lifestyle changes in any household. Whether you live alone and need companionship or have a family and want to bring home a dog to help your kids learn some responsibility, owning a dog will provide nothing but positive experiences in your life.