Have you been wondering if it is time to bring a cute doggo into the family? Owning a dog brings with it many benefits, some of which are much more significant than you might first think!
So, if you’re currently on the fence about getting a dog, we’re going to take you through how they can positively impact the lives of your family in ways that you initially wouldn’t expect.
Let’s take a look!
Health Benefits of Owning a Dog
That’s right; owning a dog can have a significant effect on the health of your family!
But how does this work? It’s difficult to understand at first; it’s not like dogs are commonly trained to be doctors!
Rather than that, it is something much simpler. Dogs encourage exercise!
As our cute dogs require at least one walk a day, this provides us humans a reason to get out and about too. All those walks around the block and games of fetch in the park, they all add up and help us become more active than we otherwise would be.
A scientific review of previous studies into the connection between physical activity and dog ownership found that dog owners spend more time exercising than those who do not own a dog. This was concluded to offer a meaningful difference in the overall health of dog owners.
This means that owning a dog allows you to get all the health benefits that come with increased physical activity. A cute dog and better overall health? Not a bad deal I’d say!
Mental Health Benefits of Owning a Dog
But it’s not just our physical health that benefits from dog ownership, but our mental health too!
It’s been well-documented in scientific literature that our crafty canines have a significant effect on decreasing stress and improving our overall mental health. Here is a previous article by us that looks into the effect further.
Additionally, our dogs with their unconditional love and loyalty can help us to feel less lonely. This can even help with symptoms of common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
There’s a reason that therapy dogs are becoming more and more widespread! Sometimes all you need to put a smile on your face is to see your carefree dog enjoying life.
During the pandemic, these mental health benefits can be even more significant. Social distancing is tough, but with a lovely doggo at your side, it can be much easier to tolerate the increased distance from friends and family.
Owning a Dog Helps Us in More Ways Than One!
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the ways that our pets can benefit us, but we hope you have come away with a better idea of everything our dogs do for us.
Maybe give them an extra belly rub today, on us!
Remember, if you are thinking of getting a dog, always ensure that you can invest the time and resources to properly care for it. If you are spending more time at home right now due to the pandemic, keep in mind that this will likely change again in the future.
Ensure that you would still have enough time when things normalise to continue to properly take care of the dog. Raising a dog is a big responsibility that requires proper planning; never rush into such a decision.
If you already own a dog, we’d like to hear from you. How has it helped your family? Let us know in the comments!
We at PetStay wish you all a safe and happy summer!