Are you considering adding a furry friend to your family?
If you aren’t, science says you probably should be!
It turns out, man’s best friend offers remarkable benefits that many might not know.
Besides being cute, constant companions, dogs bring great perks such as:
They Boost Your Immune System
If you have kids in the house, you know the constant strain that an endless stream of germs puts on daily life.
The bacteria factories we call ‘children’ seem to be perpetually plagued by sniffles and colds, especially when they’re too young to be counted on to reliably wash their hands.
Fortunately for anyone looking for reasons to adopt a canine companion, studies have shown that just petting dogs help to boost your immune system.
Getting kisses from your dog can be even better: the extra bacteria dogs introduce from their mouths can help your body develop antibodies, which can prevent illness.
So adding a puppy to your family has the potential to boost your entire families immune system in the future!
Dogs Lower Allergy Risk
Having a dog in your home during infancy seems to reduce the occurrence of allergies to them by half, researchers found.
This may be a similar mechanism to how they boost your immune system; dogs bring more allergens to the home, providing the body the chance to build up an immune response it might not otherwise have the opportunity to.
They Keep Us Active
Living a sedentary lifestyle isn’t possible with a dog around, and that spells great things for your health.
With childhood and adult obesity on the rise, anything that encourages exercise is an incredible boon, and dogs certainly fit that bill.
One study found that dog owners are 34 percent more likely to reach federal guidelines for weekly exercise, or 150 minutes of activity.
Simply taking a dog for a walk meets the criteria so daily walks can help the less active reach weekly goals.
For more exercise-avoidant kids, playing with a dog can be an extremely fun way to get moving.
They Increase Self-Esteem
Dogs are our constant companions. They never pass judgment or reject our affections.
It turns out, this aspect of pup personality has a multitude of mental health benefits.
One study reported that pet owners felt more conscientious, rebounded from social rejection faster, and enjoyed higher self-esteem.
Growing up, this can be of immense benefit.
Children who struggle socially can turn to their pets for a companion, finding fast friends in their dog, which will help them perform better with their peers.
They Reduce Stress
Our faithful pets help us feel better just by interacting with them.
Research has shown that the simple act of playing fetch raises oxytocin levels.
Oxytocin is the feel-good hormone associated with bonding.
At the same time, dogs also inhibit the production of cortisol, a stress-inducing hormone.
If you need any more reasons to get a dog besides their loving nature, this list should sway you.
Dogs have immense benefits, and your kids will love them.
If you do decide to adopt a dog, remember to research local veterinarians like the Glenvale Veterinary Clinic or a similar clinic to ensure that your dog gets all the proper care that they need.
Take care of your puppy, and they will take care of you.
Leave a Reply