While many people know that dogs help pet owners feel better mentally by providing companionship and unconditional love, there is convincing evidence that dogs actually improve your health. If you have been considering dog ownership, consider it doctor’s orders in order to increase your health.
It is easy to see how dogs improve your emotional state. With their sunny dispositions and loving demeanor, dogs improve the moods of even the most of dour individuals. However, dogs do more than just bring a smile to your face. They are also capable of improving your overall physical condition due to several key characteristics of their personalities.
8 Ways Your Dog Rewards You With Better Health
When you are doling out doggie treats or taking your dog to the park, you may feel like the benevolent leader of the pack. However, your dog has returned the favor several times over by helping you to enjoy better physical health. While it may not seem like it when your pet is rolling around on the floor, you have them to thank for rewarding you with these amazing benefits that promote positive well-being.
Here are 8 ways your dog rewards you with better health:
Increase Physical Fitness & Keep You Active
Almost every health professional will say that increasing physical activity is crucial in order to maintain a healthy weight and increase your overall health. Owning a dog means walking them on a daily basis, and some breeds require extra physical movement which means that they are great to help motivate you to go on that run or hike on the weekends which will improve your health.
If you’ve ever walked your dog and wondered who was walking whom, then you are well aware of just how active your dog can make you be. Dog owners are typically more active than their counterparts since having an animal depending upon an opportunity to go outdoors serves as motivation for movement. Since it is important to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, just walking your dog around the block can help you meet that quota.
Increase Heart Health
Sure, your heart may expand with love every time you get a puppy kiss, but that blissful state of mind is also helping to keep your heart in top condition. Spending time with a dog has been shown to decrease blood pressure and lower the levels of harmful cholesterol in a person’s body. On top of that the increased physical activity helps to keep the blood flowing to the heart, and dog owners have a reduced risk of having a heart attack.
Decrease the Risk of Heart Attacks
There are a number of factors that are related to having a heart attack, including high triglyceride and cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Studies have shown that people with dogs have lower levels of triglyceride and cholesterol, even when they were overweight or smoked. Owning or being around a dog can also greatly reduce stress levels, which results in lower blood pressure levels. Studies have also shown that for individuals who have suffered a heart attack, those with a dog have much higher survival rates and increased longevity than those who do not own a pet.
Control Parkinson’s Disease Freezing
One of the issues that patients with Parkinson’s experience is called freezing. This occurs when their feet become frozen in position while their body continues to move, causing the patient to fall. Although researchers do not understand exactly how, dogs that have been trained properly can identify this phenomenon and prevent the person from falling by breaking the freeze and/or counterbalancing the movement. In the event of a fall, the dog can help the person up.
They Reduce Allergies & Skin Conditions
Although dog allergies are real, the majority of the population can actually experience an improvement in their allergies when they are exposed to dogs at a young age. This is because dogs carry pollen and other allergens on their fur, and the tiny increments of exposure kids get when petting a dog can help them to build up tolerance. The same works for illnesses. Since your dog can carry small amounts of bacteria on their coat, your body may pick up just enough to jump-start your immune system and stop you from getting sick.
They Alert You to Danger
Stories abound about dogs that saved their families from fires or warned their human companion about cancer. Although it takes a specially trained dog to detect things like low blood sugar and seizures, dogs offer a main line of defense against illness and injury. For example, even barking at a mouse in your house could prevent your family from falling ill since you will now be aware of the infestation. From barking at a strange sound to turning their nose up at foul food, your dog is constantly on guard against things that could harm you physically.
They Help You Heal
Being sick or hurt is stressful, and too much stress can lower your immune system and delay healing. For this reason, dogs can also serve as a source of emotional support during a time of need. Stroking your pet’s soft fur or feeling their warmth next to you can promote a positive mindset that aids in your physical recovery.
Fewer Minor Health Problems
It has been found that individuals with dogs have fewer doctor visits for minor issues. They also had decreased medication use and lower overall healthcare costs.
The Physical Demands of Owning a Dog
If you have ever owned dogs, then you are more than familiar with their predilection for walks and other physical activities. Some breeds are especially persistent in their demands for exercise, following their owners around from room to room with an expectant look plastered on their faces. When you own a dog, you can expect to be on your feet quite often. Do not resent this forecast. On the contrary, think of your pet’s many physical demands as an opportunity to improve your physical condition. Owning a dog gives you the opportunity to exercise on a more regular basis.
The Remarkable Sensory Abilities of Dogs
It is widely purported that dogs have extrasensory abilities. They sense when danger is near and provide ample warning to their owners. This semi-clairvoyant nature typically rears its when thunderstorms approach, but it also appears when you are beset with illness. Some of the ailments dogs detect includes:
- Seizures
- Cancer
- Eczema
- Allergic reactions
- Low blood sugar
Naturally, it is far-fetched to assume that dogs detect every illness that you encounter. However, it has been proven time and again that dogs are capable of sensing far more than humans. In this regard, they are quite special animals and useful to have in your home.
Bringing Happiness To Your Family
Dogs may not be the pets of choice for everyone, but there is no denying that these animals are highly beneficial to humankind. In many ways, dogs improve your physical health and overall well-being. Moreover, they are delightful and loving, able to bring happiness to you and your family.
The next time you are taking your dog to the vet, remember that they have returned the favor in their own special way. Although your dog might not be able to schedule your medical appointments, their loyal, active personalities can help you stay on track with your physical health.