It is an undeniable truth that humans adore domestic animals. According to estimation, about 65% of U.S. homes have a pet. Cats and dogs are most popular among pet owners, followed by rabbits, horses, snakes, lizard, fishes, turtles, birds, etc that are commonly kept as pets.
Owning a pooch is no less than buying a therapy for all your health issues. Your visits to the doctor will be replaced by visits to the dog parks. Studies on dog owners have shown how they are mentally and physically healthier than non-dog-owners.
Dogs improve the quality of your life; you will not simply be living a longer life, but also be living a healthier life with lower risk of chronic diseases.
- Live a Little Longer:
Happy and healthy life is equivalent to an extended lifespan. Dogs are a boon who naturally lower the risks of various cardiac and mental diseases.
According to a study, it has been proved that cardiac patients who were dog-owners had an extended lifespan than non-dog-owners. Another study reveals that more than 3.4 million people who own a dog have a longer and healthier life. The anti-social dog owners had 11% lower risk of cardiac diseases and 33% lower chance of early death.
- Physical Fitness:
Physical fitness is the most important aspect of mental and bodily well-being. Dogs follow routines and you have to take them for walks daily to prevent them from developing behavioral issues. A long walk daily provides an opportunity for plenty of fresh air and exercise each day. It prevents dog owners from obesity and, therefore, obesity-related diseases.
Dogs can assist you in controlling weight by creating a routine for you to go for a walk or play with them. The risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure level, and type II diseases is greatly reduced after weight control.
Moreover, you can go for hiking, jogging, or cycling daily with your furry companion. It will increase the blood circulation, and release of endorphins-happy hormones. Let the dog explore the surroundings by utilizing retractable leash and observe him enjoy life. You will find a change in your perception, that is, from pessimism to optimism.
- Emotional Intelligence:
Children born and raised in dog-friendly homes are emotionally intelligent. Dogs help children in various ways to grow emotionally intelligent. They inculcate emotions such as compassion, kindness, empathy and sympathy in children. Moreover, they create opportunities for children to socialize more often, which leads to better social and communication skills.
Such children have more confident and emotionally balanced personality. They are less prone to develop separation anxiety, depression, stress, etc. at a later stage of life.
- Strong Immune System:
It has become a well-known fact that dogs help their human companions by protecting their infants from allergies, asthma, and cold. A study published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reveals that having pets at home strengthens your infant’s immune system. They reduce the risk of allergies by 33% just by being there around your little one. Moreover, the immune system protects better against eczema, asthma, and cold. How? Dogs expose the child to allergic particles even before their immunity has completely developed. The immune system identifies the foreign particles at an early age and builds a strong immunity against them.
- Cardiac Health:
Besides mental health, cardiac health also improves. A study conducted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute of Health (NIH) has investigated the impact of pet ownership on heart health. The results showed that pet owners have low cholesterol and triglycerides levels, low blood pressure level and reduced release of stress hormones in the blood. These are indicators of increased risk of heart attack in people; so when the indicators are reduced or normalized, the health of heart is improved.
- Reduced Stress Level:
People suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks are usually recommended to get therapy dogs. Dogs are quickly responsive to the developing symptoms in the patient and immediately inform others. They are trained to handle the situation in a specific way.
Moreover, a cuddle with the dog—the magic of touch—increases oxytocin level, a stress-reducing hormone. It also inhibits the release of cortisol, the stress-creating hormones. Therefore, cuddling the pooch will lower down your stress and increase the happy hormones.
Stress is not essentially a mental disorder, but a high level of stress negatively impacts the physical well-being of humans. It leads to increased heart rate, headaches, chest pain, insomnia, fatigue, nervousness, and upset stomach.
Are you missing a furry companion in your life? Bring one home, but I recommend that you take time out for the pooch too. Consider the amount of time you’d have to invest and bring the Fido home.