Health Benefits of Having a Dog

1. Increased Levels of Exercise

The older most of us get, the more we dread exercise. Our joints ache, we don’t see the benefits nearly as soon as we used to, we run out of time in the day… and so we skip it. Skipping the gym may seem like a good idea at the time, but according to the CDC, around 80% of Americans don’t get the recommended 2 ½ hours of moderate intensity exercise.

 Dog Ownership Can Reduce Your Chance of Eczema

Many benefits of having a dog extends to families with children. A 2011 paper published in the Journal of Pediatrics revealed that in a study of 636 children, the rate of eczema was much lower in children whose family owned a dog.

Dogs Help to Prevent Social Isolation

If you want to be less lonely or become a better communicator – get a dog. Because a 2015 peer-reviewed research article titled “The Pet Factor – Companion Animals as a Conduit for Getting to Know People, Friendship Formation and Social Support” found that owning a dog leads to greater levels of interaction between people.

The Development of Emotional Bonds

For people struggling with feeling emotional contact, benefits of having a dog are just as great. A 2016 peer-reviewed research article titled “Highly Educated Men Establish Strong Emotional Links with Their Dogs: A Study with Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale

Dog Owners Are Happier!

Not surprising to most pet owners, you’ll be happier with you have a pet at home (and you’ll make the animal happier too). A 2003 study titled “Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs” found that positive interaction between dogs and people resulted in an increase in dopamine levels in the brain in both humans and dogs.

Reduced Feelings of Pain

The same 2003 study titled “Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs” cited above also found that positive interaction (from 5 to 24 mins. in duration) between dogs and people resulted in an increase in beta-endorphin and oxytocin.

Reduced Anxiety

Owners often worry about reducing anxiety in dogs, and ironically, dogs can reduce anxiety in people. A lot of studies (including the 2003 study cited twice above) have found that positive interaction between humans and their dogs results in a decrease in feelings of anxiety.