Owning a dog gets you out of the house and makes you more active. Studies show that dog owners engage in significantly more walking, 60% of dog owners walk their dogs for a median duration of 160 minutes per week, with a median frequency of 4 times per week. 73% of dog owners use parks, when weather is bad dog owners continue to do so where as non-dog owners stay home.
Time spent outside walking and playing with the dog helps to get needed vitamin D, but it also makes you feel happier. Studies show that pet owners experience a greater sense of well being, are happier, less depressed, less lonely, with less stress and higher self esteem.
If you are lucky enough to work in dog friendly workplaces taking your dog to work, or associating with other dogs will lower stress even further. Studies show that individuals who bring their dogs to work reported far less stress, and effects were shared among other workers who did not own dogs but associated with the dogs there.
Owning a dog can help lower the risks of asthma attacks and stave off childhood eczema. Studies have shown that children in homes with dogs are less likely to experience allergic eczema during the first 10 years of life, and help protect against asthma even if they are allergic to dogs.
There is ample anecdotal evidence on dogs sniffing out cancer in owners, and there is science to back up those claims, as studies have shown that dogs can detect bowel cancer, another study showed lung cancer detection from breath samples so accurately that they were able to differentiate between lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Dogs make you feel safer, meaning you will have less stress and sleep better. Studies have shown that dogs improved sleep efficiency, by increasing comfort and sense of security. During waking hours that sense continued on helping to prevent intruders and pesky solicitors from knocking on the door.
Studies have shown that pet presence can help reduce dementia and Alzheimer’s disease outburst among elderly patients. Special care units with resident dogs experience fewer behavior problems among residents. Heart attack survivors and those with abnormal heart rhythms live longer if they own dogs.
If you are considering getting a dog, avoid puppy mills or pet store and adopt a four legged friend from a shelter or rescue group. If using a breeder make sure they are responsible. Dog ownership is a big responsibility that you will have for years, this relationship is beneficial in more than one way. Unfortunately shelters are full of these animals that love unconditionally, so before you bring one home make sure that you are up to the responsibility and commitment.
