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Why Dog Owners Live Healthier Lives Than People Who Don't Own Pets
You listen to your friends complain about how their dog just chewed up
their new pair of shoes, when to the bathroom all of the house and got
their paws on the freshly cooked dinner. However, they continue to talk
about how much they love their dog and tell you how much they spoil them
with stuff that just might not make any sense. So, you try to understand
what they are getting out of this seemingly one sided relationship and
are having a difficult time figuring it out. One thing you may not be
aware of is the health benefits that come from owning a dog, cat or any
breed of companion. Just to prove this point, there are 5 more
scientific facts that are all based off of studies to prove that owning
a dog helps you live a healthier life.
1. Dog owners have lower blood pressure. Several studies have shown that
the simple act of stroking a dog can reduce blood pressure. More recent
studies have found that these effects continue throughout the day when
people are away from their dog as well. Dog owners cope with stress
better and lowered blood pressure is a result of that relationship
between a dog and his human.
2. Dog owners have lower cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. Studies
done in Australia and England have shown that dog owners have lower
cholesterol and triglycerides and are at less risk of developing heart
disease or other cardiovascular problems. In fact, studies show that dog
owners overall are healthier than the general population. This can be
partially explained by regular walks with the family dog.
3. Dog owners are happier in general. Dog ownership has been shown to
reduce loneliness and fight depression in their owners. When people are
not lonely and depressed they are happier. Dogs can cause happiness in
humans, in part, by causing the release of endorphins in the brain,
which are natural anti-depressants produced by the human body. With this
increase in mental health, quality of life is increased respectively.
4. Dog owners live longer. Because dog owners cope with stress better
and do not suffer from depression as often; they are more likely to live
longer. While being happy will not heal a person it can keep them from
becoming ill in the first place. According to happiness studies experts
the effect of happiness on longevity is comparable to that of smoking or
not smoking. Pets provide companionship, healthy relationships and
become topics of conversation which aid in social interactions with
others. Dogs also increase self esteem and cause humans to feel more
compassion for others. All of these factors combined have a dramatically
positive effect on the day to day happiness of dog owners.
5. Dog owners have higher survival rates after serious illness. Some
studies have shown that heart attack patients with dogs are twice as
likely to be alive one year after their heart attack than their no-dog
owning peers. Some experts even believe that dogs affect survival rates
to a greater extent than friends or family members. This is most likely
explained by the patient's desire to get better because they feel they
need to in order to care for their dog.
Studies show that pet ownership in general can lower cholesterol and
increase longevity; however, maximum benefits can be obtained only
through dog ownership. When we look at it this way cleaning up the rug
and going for mid-night potty breaks don't seem like as much of a
sacrifice anymore. In fact, it seems that humans get just as much or
more from their canine companions as they give in the first place. With
dog owners experiencing longer, happier and healthier lives it makes you
wonder why the rest of the population hasn't jumped on board.
Article provided by pet-super-store a site featuring dog beds and dog fence underground. Read more about the most popular dog breeds. Learn more studies the
prove Pet Owners Live Longer and why.
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