Written by
Nanthini Suresh
As a furry
pup lover, there is no doubt in my mind that having a dog brings many upsides
to my life. I mean, how can I NOT live happily waking up to a smiley face and
wagging tail? For those of you who do not yet have a furry friend, or who are
planning on adding one to your family, you’ll be glad to hear that there are
scientifically proven benefits that dogs bring to each of our lives! So if
you’re looking for reasons to get a dog, here’s 10!
1. Dogs increase your mood
dramatically!
Spending just
15-30 minutes with your dog can help you feel more calm and relaxed, reducing
stress and increasing happiness. Playing with your pup increases your
brain’s levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters
associated with pleasure and tranquility. So the next time you’re feeling down,
grab the newest toy from your BarkBox and spend some time with your pup! That
wagging tail will be sure to put a smile on your face.
2. Having a dog may help reduce the
risk of cardiovascular disease.
Studies show
that talking to and petting your pooches are often accompanied by lower
blood pressure, and that means a lowered risk for a myriad of different
illnesses
3. Step aside, kitties! Dogs protect
children from skin conditions and allergies
Children who
grow up with dogs have a lower risk of developing eczema than those who have cats
or no dogs at all. Yes, it’s true! In addition, children also develop fewer pet
allergies if they grow up with a dog.
4. Having a dog improves your physical
wellbeing and encourages a healthy fitness routine.
Of course!
Your dog requires daily exercise, and so do you! Dog owners carry the
responsibility of playing with and working their dogs, so it only makes sense
that dog people tend to be more active.
5. Humans with dogs recover more
quickly from illnesses.
Dog owners have a much higher rate of recovery from being sick than non-dog
owners. In fact, humans with pooches who suffered from heart attacks were twice
as likely to fully recover than those without!
6. Dogs make excellent service and
alert animals.
Canines make
excellent service companions when trained properly for people with
disabilities. They can be trained to bring medication, alleviate a stressful
situation for their human, and even detect an approaching epileptic seizure.
7. Children with dogs in their
household miss less school.
Yes, it’s
true. We all know that children absolutely adore pups,
but research has shown that children from dog-owning families
have better school attendance due to better overall health and less sickness
from having a pup at home.
8. But wait, there’s more (for your
kids)!
Having dogs
has actually been shown to improve a child’s self-esteem, and makes
issues that cause stress easier to handle.
9. Simply put, they are a human’s best
friend.
Because of
their heightened sense of smell, sight, and hearing, dogs are extremely
intelligent creatures with a loyalty to their humans that is unexpectedly
strong. Those with dogs will know–your pups can sense human body language,
emotions, and feelings, and this paves the way for an unbreakable bond.
10.There’s never a dull or boring
moment.
Have you ever
found yourself sitting at home, wondering what to do today? There are so many
things you can do with your dog, whether that be taking a trip to the park,
training, playing, running, or just watching them chew a toy. It’s all fun,
for both of you.
Those
magical, euphoric feelings sweeping over you while bonding with your dog are
not just in your imagination. Locking eyes with your furry friend and gazing
lovingly into that adorable face triggers the release of oxytocin, the
“feel good” drug into your system.
Addicting,
yes, but harmful? No! This calm and happy high is 100% natural, and available
to you right now at your neighborhood shelter or animal rescue.