Dogs are good for your heart. Studies suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure levels and improved responses to stress. Even just living with a dog makes a difference—people who had experienced previous coronary events had an even higher level of risk reduction for death.
In fact, for nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates.
In our study, it was determined that the average score of depression and anxiety was lower in those who owned a pet. Pet owners were found to have a better quality of life in the areas of physical function, emotional role functioning, energy vitality, mental health, and pain.
Having a dog can actually reduce your risk of getting cardiovascular disease. Dogs can also help those who suffer from anxiety and depression as well. Because dogs are a great support system for their owners, they can also help lower blood pressure.
In fact, a study revealed that those who spent more time with their dogs experienced a 300 percent increase in oxytocin levels and experts say loving a pet is an innate part of our nature as humans. Eighty-seven point three percent of Americans were reported as happier than the average person because of owning a pet.
Stroke survivors who lived by themselves had a reduced risk of death if they owned a dog, while survivors who lived with someone else (a partner or child) had a reduced risk. Dog owners are less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than non-dog owners.
Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure.
After fourteen years researchers analyzed mortality data. Results suggest that interacting with pets played no role in the participants' likelihood of surviving.
There is always the chance that your pet could get hurt or sick, and veterinary treatment can be expensive. You also need to plan for annual exam fees and the cost of preventive care, like vaccines and spaying or neutering.
Owning a dog may improve the health of children in that household, according to new research from the University of California, San Francisco. In a study of mice, researchers found that the house dust from homes with dogs worked to protect against a common cold strain, the respiratory syncytial virus.
“Higher survival rates, fewer heart attacks, less loneliness, better blood pressure, better psychological well-being, lower rates of depression and stress levels, fewer doctor visits, increased self esteem, better sleep and more physical activity,” are just some of the recorded benefits of pet ownership, Herzog said.
Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults.
Studies have shown that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than people without pets. People with limited human social supports often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, both of which can worsen depression. A pet helps to decrease these feelings by providing companionship to its owner.
Pets provide companionship: by being affectionate, loyal, and consistent, pets reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Like humans, dogs need to keep their brains active. Take him on walks. Take him to parks and doggie daycare. “It might not increase life span, but it sure will improve their quality of life over their life span, which is arguably as important,” Karas says.
Dogs have the unique ability to reduce daily stress. In a study published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1991, researchers found that people with dogs reported a significant reduction in minor health problems within the first 10 months of being a dog parent.
For one thing, indoor pets tend to live longer than outdoor pets. This is because living outside can expose the dog to extreme heat, frosts, and cold temperatures. They can also be exposed to other stresses, such as territorial stress. Stress can age a dog more quickly which can reduce his life expectancy.
“Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health.
Studies have shown that even small interactions with dogs cause the human brain to produce oxytocin, a hormone often referred to as the “cuddle chemical.” Oxytocin increases feelings of relaxation, trust, and empathy while reducing stress and anxiety.
Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise and improve your overall health. For example, people with dogs tend to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease.
Bluey lived on a farm in Australia after he was born on June 7, 1910. From here, he went on to live a long life with owners Les and Esma Hall, happily herding sheep for over 20 years until his death on November 14, 1939.
The Sulcata Tortoise, Leopard Tortoise and the Egyptian Tortoise are among the longest-living pets and the chances of them outliving their owners are very high.
Dog owners, for instance, are more likely to seek comfort from their pet in times of stress, more likely to play with their pet, and more likely to consider their pet a member of their family. Those differences suggest a stronger social bond with their pets, which could create a greater sense of well-being.