Dog owners know making a pup a part of your family can bring a lot to a person’s life. Did you know there’s a lot of evidence that being around dogs is good for your health?
Chilling out and playing with your dog can be a big stress relief. Life can be hectic and just by taking the time to play with your dog in the backyard or at the dog park can be a time for you to unwind also. It’s a great bonding activity for you and your dog to share some downtime playing or snuggling on the couch. Play stimulates human brains to secrete higher levels of dopamine and serotonin which are feel good neurotransmitters associated with feeling a sense calm and happiness. Cuddling with dog stimulates the brain to produce oxytocin, another neurotransmitter also called the “love hormone” in both of you. Oxytocin inhibits cortisol which is a stress hormone, which at high levels is associated with weight gain, reduced immune function and other problems.
Dogs are stress relievers
Dogs make our hearts happy and healthy
Dogs fill our hearts with love but there are studies that show having a dog is linked to lower cholesterol, triglycerides and decreased blood pressure which contribute to better overall cardiovascular health and fewer heart attacks. What’s more, dog owners who do have heart attacks have better survival rates following the events.
Dogs make our immune systems more resilient=less allergies
While dog dander can be an allergic trigger for some people, if children grow up in a house with dogs, it makes them less likely to develop allergies during their lifetime. The benefits can start during gestation as discussed in a 2017 study published in the journal Microbiome. The study found that women that live with pets (mainly dogs) during pregnancy had children with an increased abundance of two gut bacteria, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira. These bacteria are associated with a reduced risk of developing common allergies, asthma, eczema and obesity.
Dogs are good company
Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than non-pet owners. Research suggests that pet ownership may improve well-being and decrease feelings of loneliness among older adults who live alone. The interaction with and love received from a dog can also help people stay positive.
Every dog owner knows that pet ownership has it’s advantages and science is now showing that our pets help us live happier and healthier lives.