To people who keep pets, the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of pet dogs are obvious, but it is not so for people who have never had the experience. Some compelling reasons for keeping a pet dog are explained:
Physical Benefits of Owning a Dog
Better weight management:
One of the biggest benefits of keeping a dog is it boosts your activity level considerably. You cannot refuse your dog a walk even if it is raining or you are late returning from work. Multiple studies confirm people owning dogs are fitter, thinner, and less likely to suffer from lifestyle diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. A Missouri study of public housing residents established that dog owners lost an average of 14.4 pounds by taking their dogs for 20-minute walks five times a week without changing their diets.
Lower blood pressure and heart disease:
Studies have also established that the increased level of activity, along with the calming effect induced by taking dogs for walks contribute to lowering blood pressure. The American Heart Association (AHA) went on record in 2013 that being a pet parent reduces the risk of heart disease. An Australian study of over 6,000 participants of both sexes found those owning dogs have lower levels of triglycerides than non-dog owners do. According to the American Kennel Club, keeping a dog as a pet can reduce your stress level considerably.
Fewer allergies:
Evidence supports the theory that those exposed to dogs from an early age are less allergy-prone than kids who grow up in homes without dogs, observes a leading pet grooming clinic in Knoxville TN.
Emotional Benefits of Owning a Dog
Companionship:
According to psychologists, there are several indisputable psychological benefits of owning dogs in addition to the physical benefits. Dogs provide companionship that makes people feel less isolated in many ways. In addition to having the dog for company, owners invariably get pulled into interacting with other dog owners and walkers, which increases their social circle. Research reveals that one of the benefits of engaging more with other people and animals is longer life and a feeling that their lives are more meaningful.
Better self-care:
The presence of pet dogs is particularly helpful to seniors. A Canadian study reveals elderly people owning dogs were more capable of performing daily chores like feeding and dressing, possibly, because dogs need the same care. Their lives also tend to be more structured because they need to adhere to regular times for pet meals and walks.
Bonding and socialization:
Bonding with dogs in the family helps children learn vital life skills and form stronger human connections, reveals a study by Tufts University. The study also establishes that kids connected with dogs are more self-confident and empathetic and perform better socially.
Conclusion
Owning a dog is an experience of a lifetime. In addition to the physical and emotional benefits discussed above, keeping a dog gives you the chance to savor life in a different and more fulfilling way. Taking care of your dog and engaging with it can give you a better sense of purpose and a feeling of self-fulfillment, which is hard to achieve otherwise.
