Surprising Benefits of Being a Dog Owner

While most people don’t get dogs solely because of the direct benefits they can provide them, the benefits of dog ownership can be quite the addition to your quality of life, making it an important element that you should take into consideration when you’re deciding whether you need a dog or not. 

Dog owners can benefit a lot from their dogs in ways that they have never thought about. Here is an overview of some of the most surprising benefits of being a dog owner.

Better Heart Health

A surprising fact that you’ll seldom find a dog owner knowing about is the positive effects of dogs on your heart health. According to a study led by Harvard University, the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are drastically in favor of dog owners compared to non-dog owners. This isn’t something that you should shrug away as a random fact because heart disease is the leading cause of death among the entire population of the US. Interestingly, dogs have this effect on humans because of a simple hormone called oxytocin, which is commonly known as a “love drug.” This hormone works as a de-stressor that helps your heart perform better.

Grow Older with you

Dogs have a good average lifespan. This means that they can grow older with you and form emotional bonds that last forever. This has a positive effect on your psychology because the more time passes, the closer you become, so your dog can be your lifetime companion. 

There are some breeds that can live up to 15-20 years like the Chihuahua. But it’s important to focus on your dog’s diet as it gets older because it will naturally become weaker. Veterinarians recommend low sodium dog food to decrease a dog’s blood pressure and improve the functions of its bodily fluids. Even if you have to take care of the diet and physical needs of an older dog, you’ll still feel grateful for its existence in your life.

Stronger Immune System

This may sound quite counterintuitive to many germaphobes. Dogs can actually improve your immune system by introducing a myriad of different types of bacteria and germs. The new kinds that a dog brings into a home can be a bit problematic at first if you’re allergic, but after a few weeks, you’ll notice that your immune system is becoming much stronger.

Exercising More

Naturally, dogs are a lot more energetic than humans. While some non-dog owners may look at this as a hassle, most dog owners enjoy how energetic their dogs are, even if they get in trouble some times. Simply walking your dog for 30 minutes can provide you with an adequate amount of activity that improves your bodily functions. You can, later on, start running alongside your dog to take it a notch further.

Owning a dog comes with a huge spectrum of responsibilities. These animals are quite smart and sensitive to their environment, but being the loyal friend they are, people are ready to consider them a part of their family and raise them with the utmost love and care. As a dog owner, you’ll get to experience all of these benefits in addition to the unconditional love and loyalty dogs provide.