If you’re on the fence about bringing a pet into your home, here are five great reasons why taking the leap will pay off.
Owning an animal is one of life’s great joys. And while it can feel hard to make the commitment to care for a four-legged friend of the canine variety, that relationship stands to offer some significant emotional and physical rewards.
In case you’re in the midst of weighing up the pros and cons, or just need a few salient reasons stacked on your side to win that pointed argument, we’ve put together a guide—naturally backed by science—that will put you on the path straight to dog ownership bliss.
1. Dogs dial down the stress
We’re all stressed, that’s a given. But according to this study one of the major health benefits of spending time with a dog is that it can be physically relaxing. Basically the act of stroking sends the brain into a feel-good overdrive allowing it to release a heady cocktail of stress-busting serotonin and oxytocin, as well as dampening down the stress hormone cortisol.
2. Your mental health gets a lift
Pet owners are less lonely, had higher self-esteem, exercised more often and were less afraid of becoming close to others than non-owners, according to a 2011 study. There’s the social aspect of dog ownership too. Try taking a dog for a walk around a park on a sunny day and not have at least one or ten conversations. By virtue of the fact it can be such a sociable activity, there’s also the potential to help anyone who may be struggling with feeling alone.
3. Better physical health
It’s a no brainer that if you own a dog, you’ll need to go for regular walks. Studies have shown if you’re a dog owner, you’re more likely to hit regular daily targets for exercise, even without regular walks. This is likely because you’ll walk in your spare time, which is made much more enjoyable with your pooch by your side. The great thing about walking is the it helps with stress, reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure, all of which adds up to better heart health.
4. Your immune system is strengthened
Having a dog around the house means it’s possible you could be exposed to more bacteria, but this isn’t an altogether bad thing. Our immune systems actually do better under a little pressure, and as this study showed, dog germs—along with general bacteria we pick up from daily life—means it’s possible we could be more resilient to illnesses than if we lived pet-free. Also if you’re considering children at any point, having a dog in the home can help lower a child’s chance of developing animal allergies. Another study carried out in 2011 reported children at risk of developing eczema (those with parents who suffered allergies) are much less likely to do so if a dog was living in the house before they were a year old.
5. Happiness is guaranteed
You may have jokingly once—or most of the time—referred to your pet as your fur baby, and suffered the withering looks of those around you. Now you can hit back with this morsel of tasty research: we’re actually primed for this response based on the fact our four-legged friends have the emotional range of a toddler. Our nurturing urges are also driven by our brains that have switched into bonding mode, largely thanks to oxytocin (the feelgood hormone) flooding our system, as we lovingly gaze into our baby’s big brown eyes. What’s better is they have the same response, too. On top of that, there’s the fact dogs seem to have an incredible ability to appreciate everything in life. Anecdotal evidence suggests dogs also help their owners to appreciate everyday pleasures, and take joy in what each moment presents.
Now you’ve got five great reasons to convince anyone why owning a dog is good for you. If you’re considering this as a possibility, there are so many great dogs available for adoption through the SPCA or check out your local shelter.
