Proven ways Dog Ownership improves your health
10 Reasons your dog is incredible…
We know that as a dog owner it’s easy to spruik your dog’s accolades but research has the evidence on what’s so incredible about your dog/human relationship. Whilst we’ve covered in previous blogs the fact dogs trigger the release of oxytocin (the love hormone) in our brains, but what we know now is that if you are either a single person or a senior and are a dog parent, there is 36% percent lower risk of heart disease and 33% lower risk of premature death. At any age, walking your dog five or more times per week contributes to lowering obesity.
Folks who walk their dogs find higher social levels with the statistics saying you are five times more likely to meet other people in the neighbourhood than if you owned a different type of pet. Older individuals who own dogs generally walk an extra 20 minutes a day and also have fewer ‘continuous’ periods of sitting down than non dog owners. Of course our pooch’s funny antics add comedy to our day that is great medicine.
Dog ownership comes with benefits for the kids too. They will learn vital life lessons as they play, live with and care for the family dog. Bonding and training takes time and teaches patience. Caring for animals requires and builds compassion as it requires kindness and looking after the needs of another. Responsibility is developed as those needs are met, whether it be feeding, exercise, grooming and even ‘clean-ups’. It is important to teach kids about which foods are safe or unsafe for your dog to eat and the best ways to reduce anxiety for your dog. Kids with dogs can also help soothe their own anxiety by having a furry pal to pet or have as company. It’s a welcome boost for self esteem to have a dog that loves you unconditionally.
Dogs in the home help reduce the risk of allergic disease in children and early exposure to a dog’s diverse microbes and bacteria may assist in building the immune function.
As well as boosting heart health just being in the presence of our dogs helps reduce blood pressure. Overall, life with dogs is marvelous and we can’t imagine a world without them.
Leah & Angela OMearaHound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)