If you’re a pet parent, thinking of “paw-sitive” ways your furry friends have impacted your life comes easily. But did you know your favorite furball can actually have strong benefits on your health and wellness? From physical to emotional benefits, research shows your dog really can enhance your life more than you may think! We’ve compiled just some of the special way’s dogs impact our health and daily lifestyle.
Health Benefits of Owning a Dog
Keeping us active
Our best friends do a great job of getting us moving! Among the many activities we can enjoy with our pooch, walking on a routine basis is typically at the top of the list. According to a study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, dog parents are 34 percent more likely than those without dogs to get the right amount of exercise for their health. Therefore, being a dog parent has been directly tied to weight-loss.
In addition, another study by Harvard Medical School found living with a dog helps lower blood pressure, decreases the likeliness to develop heart disease, and reduces the odds of suffering from depression. With a healthier heart, we can only give more love to our four-legged friends!
Reducing stress
We all lead busy lives, and it’s no secret relaxation is a key aspect to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having your best friend there to make bad days a little brighter or give their affection can be exactly what we need to reduce stress. How could seeing your dog’s adorable face when you wake up or walk through the door not put you in a better mood?
Improving our immune system
Parenting a dog doesn’t only offer benefits to adults, but children too! Research has shown that babies and children raised by families with dogs may be less likely to develop allergies or asthma, as well as exposure to dogs during infancy can positively influence our immune systems.
According to Many Babies Healthier in Homes With Dogs via WebMD Health News, kids in homes with dogs also have fewer respiratory and ear infections, and need fewer courses of antibiotics. As if we needed more reasons to love our fur children, it’s an even stronger benefit to see how their presence can impact the lives of our kids.
How Dogs Can Positively Impact Our Lifestyle
Socialization
Meeting new people, especially other dog lovers, is always fun! In fact, dogs can make social situations easier for conversation. Whether it’s meeting new friends in a puppy training class or pairing up with a friend and their pooch for a doggy play date, our canine friends can keep our social life active too.
Reduced anxiety
Just as owning a dog may help with reducing your stress, dogs are also great for helping calm our anxiety. When we interact with our four-legged friends, our brain produces serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin – otherwise known as the “feel good” hormones – which help us relax.
More and more, we’re seeing dogs present in hospitals, funeral homes, or even court houses to support groups that may be struggling. Whether you’re in a stressful situation or not, simply petting your dog is always a great way to bring your mind at ease and alleviate feelings of being alone.
Companionship
Dogs truly make the best friends. No matter what happens, our dogs provide unconditional love and companionship. A walk in the park or even a car ride can become that much better with your loveable furball at your side. That may be one of the best benefits of all!
Ways to Enhance the Life of Your Furry Friends
As the parent of a happy and healthy best friend, you have most likely benefited from one or many of the special ways your dog can enhance your life. Looking for ways to show your canine pal love in return? Join our Best Friends Club today to receive our exclusive email newsletter full of articles on pet parenting tips, nutritional information, and coupons on Bil-Jac dog food, treats, and other products.
