Here are the top 11 reasons why dogs are good for you.
As a dog guy, people sometimes ask me, ‘why are dogs beneficial to humans.’ So after researching thoroughly, I have come up with the 11 best benefits of having a dog.
Here’s a list of benefits of having a dog:
- Dogs Keep You Fit
- Dogs Are Men’s Best Friend
- Dogs Help in Socialization
- Dogs Are Great for Your Mental Health
- Dogs Add Structure and Routine to Your Day
- Dogs Are Good for Your Heart
- Dogs Help You Find Meaning and Joy in Life When You Age
- Dogs Help Seniors With Brain Function
- Dogs Prevent Allergies in Children
- Dogs Protect You
- Dogs Make You Happy
If you’re interested in learning about each benefit of having a dog, keep reading…
#1 Dogs Keep You Fit
Your dog needs daily exercise. And, taking your dog out for a walk, run, or hike can be an excellent exercise for the dog and you.
Studies show that dog owners achieve their exercise goals four times greater than those who don’t have a dog.
Playing with your dog or going out for a walk with him can help boost your immune system, increase your energy, and lose unwanted weight.
#2 Dogs Are Men’s Best Friend
A dog is men’s (and women’s) loyal companion that serves a man with many useful needs with unconditional love.
Studies have proven dogs can help you fight loneliness. Loving your dog can make you feel needed and wanted and takes away your mind from daily life’s problems, especially if you live alone.
Most dog owners love to talk to their furry friends when they feel lonely, as dogs understand many words that we use. Dogs have evolved to understand better our tone of voice, gesture, and body language.
And like any good human friend, a dog will look into your eyes and understand what emotional state or feelings you’re going through.
Dogs love their owners unconditionally and give them emotional support, which helps fight loneliness.
#3 Dogs Helps in Socialization
Dogs make you more social as they help you meet new people in life and make new friends.
Walking in your neighborhood with your 4-legged buddy can make you more approachable and spark conversations with other dog owners or even dog lovers. As dog owners frequently stop and talk to each other on walks, hikes, or in a dog park.
Dog owners also meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes.
A study shows that having a pet increases social support (i.e., appraisal, emotional, informational, instrumental) by around 40% from other people.
I live in a neighborhood where people don’t often engage in talking with strangers. But, this completely changed after I started to take my dog on walks with me daily.
Taking him on a walk every day, I would end up in a small talk with at least one or two dog owners. Even some random dog lovers would pet him or comment on him.
Going out for a walk with my buddy has made me more of a social guy, and the best thing is that more people in my neighborhood recognize me.
#4 Dogs Are Great for Your Mental Health
Dogs can benefit our physical health, but they’re also great for our mental health.
Evidence shows that dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in humans.
Dogs owners suffer less likely from anxiety than people without dogs. This is because dogs can help you ease your worries and offer comfort.
A study shows that petting your dog with your hands for 10 minutes can provide momentarily stress relief. In addition, the study participants showed a significant reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone.
Playing with pets such as dogs can stimulate the release of more serotonin and dopamine in your body.
Serotonin and dopamine are both neurotransmitters (chemical messengers). Serotonin makes you happy, calm, and focused, while dopamine gives you the feeling of rewards, motivation, and being productive.
Meaning hugging, touching, or playing with your furry friend can rapidly calm and soothe you when you’re stressed or anxious.
You will find it hard to get lost in a spiral of negative thoughts when you have a dog who wants to play with you.
#5 Dogs Add Structure and Routine to Your Day
Dogs force you to have a routine. For example, having a dog, it’s your responsibility to feed him on time, get him exercise, or play with him.
Such responsibility will force you to get off the sofa and go outside for a walk. In addition, your dog will encourage you to brainstorm new ways to keep him challenged and entertained.
Having a consistent routine will keep your dog balanced and healthy – and it can work for you, too.
No matter what your mood is, one plaintive look from your dog, and you’ll have to get out of your comfort to feed, exercise, and care for him.
#6 Dogs Can Decrease Cardiovascular Risks
Having a dog in your house can help you live longer. Dog ownership has been associated with decreased cardiovascular risk.
People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than people without dogs.
Dog owners also have lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than non-dog owners.
As previously said, dogs also reduce stress, and stress is a major cause of cardiovascular problems.
So, dogs and any friendly pet can be good for your heart.
#7 Dogs Help You Find Meaning and Joy in Life When You Age
As time goes by and you retire and become older, you’ll lose many things that previously occupied your time and gave your life a purpose. Your friends or family members might be no more around due to illness, death, or relocation. Your children will become independent adults and may move away from you.
A pet such as a loyal dog will always be there with you no matter what (unless he passes away). Dogs can help boost your morale, optimism, and sense of self-worth.
A dog will encourage you to play with him, get him exercise, make you laugh, and enjoy the retirement life.
#8 Dogs Helps Seniors With Brain Function
Studies have found that having pets improves the cognitive function of elderly patients with mental illness in long-term care.
Research has also shown that Alzheimer’s patients who have a dog in the house suffer less stress and have fewer anxious outbursts.
Another study shows that animal-assisted therapy significantly decreases agitated behaviors and significantly increases social interaction in older adults with dementia.
#9 Dogs Prevent Allergies in Children
Back in the 90s, experts believed that dogs cause allergies in children. Unfortunately, the latest research shows the opposite is true.
Children in a household of dogs or cats have 33 percent lower chances of becoming allergic to pets, according to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
The study also shows that exposure to dogs can even make the immune system stronger at a young age.
#10 Dogs Protect You
Another good reason dogs are good for you is that they protect and guard you against intruders. In addition, dogs keep their human families safe, especially at night. And if you live alone, a dog by your side will make you feel safer.
#11 Dogs Make You Happy
Dogs’ unconditional love and increased physical activity can make people feel better. And, it is actually scientifically proven that dogs can even make you happy.
Having a positive interaction with dogs or even gazing at your dog can increase the level of oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone.’
Oxytocin increases relaxation, trust, and overall psychological stability and decreases stress and anxiety.
Hence, you feel happy when you stare at your dog in the eyes or touch him.
The Bottom Line
Dogs are uncomplicated companions that will love you unconditionally. They don’t have dramas as humans do; they are cute and fun and make you happy.
Dogs will help you become fitter, and they will help you live longer by reducing cardiovascular risks. Dogs will also improve your mental health.
Dogs are also good at protecting. They will safeguard your home from intruders and make you feel safer at night.
After all these benefits these 4-legged buddies of ours give us, it’s our duty to provide them with a high-quality life too, such as by gifting them a dog bed.
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