12 Surprising Benefits of Owning a Dog

There are many reasons people get a dog, to feel less lonely, be more active, or have fun. However, there are more these faithful pets can do than just lift your spirits, dogs can actually help with depression, aid during seizures, and even detect cancer.

In this article, you’ll find 12 surprising benefits of owning a dog. If for some reason, you were hesitating to get a pup, this article may help you make a decision. However, remember that dogs are not just pets, they’re your friends for life, and a huge responsibility comes with that!. Read on, and decide whether the benefits outweigh the pitfalls in your case.

Dogs make better friends than humans

Many people say that their pets are like family members and this really isn’t far from the truth! Humans have been shown to be less reliable than dogs, some studies show that dogs will stay loyal to their owners 90% of the time, whereas humans will only stay loyal 40% of the time on average! This may be because they lack true human emotions (e.g., empathy). However, this shouldn’t stop us from loving them, after all, we love our pets precisely because they are different from us! Not to mention we can name them pretty much whatever we like! If you are looking for names why not check out these alaskan huskies names for some ideas.

A dog can help with depression

Several studies have proven that owning a dog can help with depression. In fact, studies from the University of Missouri found that walking a dog for just 30 minutes can reduce stress and symptoms of depression by over 70%! Some experts even believe that dogs can be as effective as therapy in helping with depression. If you’re feeling down, try walking or playing with your dog for a few minutes, it might just lift your spirits. However, if your depression persists, it’s best to see a professional.

Dogs can help with loneliness

People who live alone often feel lonely. One study showed that people who have dogs are less likely to suffer from loneliness than those without pets. If you live alone but still want to get some companionship, then consider adopting a dog. Your furry friend will not only bring you joy but also help you feel less lonely during the day when you’re not at work or school.

Dogs can help with anxiety

Another common disorder is anxiety which is experienced by both dogs & humans. Anxiety affects millions of people worldwide, and most sufferers don’t seek help. Dogs are so easy to care for and so loyal, they can actually help with anxiety. Studies show that simply petting a dog can lower the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body. Petting an animal can also improve your mood and comfort you if you feel anxious or stressed out. While dogs can help you with anxiety, you as an owner can also help your dog with anxiety with dog anxiety vests.

Owning a dog will help you lose weight

According to another study, owning a dog can actually help you lose weight. The study found that owners of overweight dogs lost around 14 pounds more than those who didn’t own dogs. Why? Dogs need lots of exercise, and the average dog needs at least 45 minutes a day of walking and even more, depending on their size. If you want to lose weight, consider getting a dog and starting walking him more often!

Walking your dog can help you fight off cancer

Studies have shown that walking your dog regularly can reduce your risk of cancer by up to 50%. Dogs provide companionship, and they also keep us active. Just 10 minutes of walking with your dog every day can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 40%, prostate cancer by 50%, and colon cancer by 45%.

Dogs can sense seizures

Most dogs are extremely sensitive to their owner’s emotions and actions. They are so sensitive that they can actually detect when their owner is about to have a seizure before it happens. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and hearing, and many are able to detect when something is wrong. Some dogs even learn how to respond in different ways to assist their owner. One famous example is a dog named Buddy whose owner has seizures, he responds by turning on the lights or getting his owner’s medication for him!

Dogs can detect cancer in humans

Recently, scientists discovered that dogs have nearly twice as many genes involved in detecting cancer as humans do! Dogs are able to smell minute traces of chemicals released by tumors in humans and these chemicals are undetectable by modern medicine! These “cancer-sniffing” dogs are now being used to detect cancer in patients, leading to early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Having a dog makes you more active!

If you want to become more active but don’t know where to start, then get a dog! Walking is one of the best exercises out there, it not only burns calories but also improves your mood and health! Luckily, most dogs love going on walks with their owners, so get yourself a dog today and get started! In fact, walking your dog regularly will help keep both of your active, it’s a win-win situation!

Having a dog will make you happier!

According to research from the University College London, having a dog will make you happier in life overall! In fact, people who live with dogs were found to be less affected by stressful situations compared to people who live without pets. One possible reason behind this effect is that humans living with dogs require more social support than those without pets; while this doesn’t mean that dog owners are sicker than those without pets, it does mean that they have more support around them and therefore feel better about their lives overall!

You can reduce your stress by stroking a dog!

While dogs are excellent therapy for us, they can also help us de-stress in the moment. A recent study shows that petting a dog can lower stress levels by 68% just by stroking your dog, you can bring yourself back to a calm state and make yourself feel better! If you’re feeling stressed out, try petting your dog or talking to him, this will help you relax and relieve stress.

Dogs are man’s best friend

Dogs really are man’s best friend, they don’t offer empty words of comfort or sympathy when we need them. They simply provide support and unconditional love throughout our lives. While there are many reasons to have a dog, the fact that they’ll never leave you (and the unconditional love) is probably one of the best reasons of all!

Summary

There are so many benefits to getting a dog that it really is hard to try and fit them in one article. At the end of the day, reading about the benefits is nothing compared to the real thing. Adding the addition of a dog into your family can make you happier, ease your battles with anxiety and depression, make you healthier, make you more fit, but best of all, you will have a buddy that just wants to love you unconditionally. Now, what kind of benefit can compare to unconditional love? If you are thinking of getting a dog just remember that you will need to prepare for the new arrival. Don’t forget to stock up on food, treats, a place for the dog to sleep, shampoo, toys, leashes, and pretty much anything else you can think of. So what are you waiting for? Go add a new addition to your home.