My dog is considered as my best friend, trusty companion and beloved member of the family. Now let's add to the his list of accomplishments;
- Heart healer,
- Exercise coach,
- Mood enhancer and
- So on.
There is new a body of research that goes beyond the anecdotal charms of dog ownership to provide some increased evidence around the health benefits of pet therapy. Right yes ;)
It’s no surprise that people who walk their dogs are more likely to get the recommended amount of physical activity than those who don’t. One study found that pet owners who walk their dogs got up to 30 minutes more exercise a day than non-walkers.
Can Your Pet Help You Be Healthier?
My answer is YES. Dogs are more than just cuddly companions — research continues to show that pets bring real health benefits to their owners. Having a dog around can lead to lower levels of stress for both adults and kids. Therefore, can help you relieve stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, help increase fitness levels and boost overall happiness and well-being. Pets also provide social support, which is an important factor in helping you stick with new healthy habits.
Dogs've been found to decrease the risk of asthma in children and have been linked to lower blood pressure. And researchers have also shown that dog owners are more active than those who don’t own dogs, packing in more steps per day on their walk.
Pet ownership is a long term commitment!
Just because dogs can benefit your health, it's simply not OK if you do not consider all that comes with it once you get one. It is a long-term commitment with some lifestyle changes and adaptations involved, so the dog ownership must be fully understood and accepted. Before owning a dog, you should always consider these questions:
- Do I have time to care for and clean up after the dog?
- What type of environment does the dog need to thrive?
- How large will the dog get and how much exercise will it need?
- What is the dog’s life span, and can I commit to caring for it throughout its life?
- How much will veterinary care cost?
Be ready to answer all of your questions (before make a decision) and most importantly choose the dog that will suit well into your lifestyle and (without a doubt) become your family member.
Your dog — and your heart — will thank you!
As I said, welcoming a dog into the family is a big decision with big responsibilities — and yes, with many wonderful benefits too. And if you end up getting more active with your new loving companion, it’s a win-win. Agree?
My bottom line here - being more active and less stressed by owning a dog can (without a doubt) help you live a longer and healthier life. It's should be a happy journey for you and your dog.
Until next time, S.
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