Dogs Help Us Live Longer

So, what are the secrets to living longer? Eat healthy food. Get enough rest. Avoid bodily harm. Exercise. Get a dog. Wait, what? Did you say, get a dog? Yes, you read that right.

Studies have confirmed what many dog owners have long suspected: dogs help us live longer. It is just one of the wonderful benefits of having a four-legged buddy by your side. But, you might ask, how can your pooch help you extend your life? Here are a few ways. Read on to learn more.

Increased Physical Activity

Taking your doggie out for a walk isn’t just good for him, but also for you. Walking is among the best low-impact and easy-to-do exercises. It’s cost-effective, too.

Imagine, if you’re all alone in your home, it’s easy to become a couch potato. However, if you have a dog you need to take for a walk, then you are pleasantly forced to get moving and bring him out.

Moreover, if you make your canine friend your jogging buddy, you get more reasons to get up in the morning and hit the pavement.

They Help You Be More Outgoing

When was the last time when you went to the park just because of your pooch? Or when was the last time you went on a hiking trail with your best canine buddy? There’s just something in your cute and cuddly dog that makes you want to go out there and explore the world.

You probably have seen pet owners and pictures or videos of them exploring a lot of things together. Some climb mountains, ride the waves, go to various beaches, and tour new places. Doing these things are just more fun with your dog keeping you company.

And when you become more outgoing instead of simply staying in your home, you get happier, healthier, and more positive. All these contribute to better well-being.

Dogs Keep Us Safe

It’s no secret that your dogs serve as your security guard as well. Their loud bark, though it can be annoying at times, serves as an alarm and alerts you whenever intruders break into your home. So, before robbers and thieves could even get into your house, you have Fido barking and perhaps, biting them.

Maybe, you have already read about the heroic acts of dogs. Yes, dogs are great protectors as well from other animals and people. You probably heard of a dog who has saved its master from venomous snakes or rabid wild animals.

Dogs Make Great Conversation Starters

Pet owners are more likely to find new friends who also share the same interest. A lot of people have made great friends in the park just because of their dogs. It is not a great surprise that those people who bring their dog outside could easily start a conversation with strangers – conversations that may lead to long and lasting friendships.

There are also a lot of good opportunities for you to meet new people by having a dog. For example, you can join groups in social media whose members are interested in dogs. You can also join related pet social clubs in your local area. Participating in dog shows could even help you find new friends.

No doubt: your dog opens a lot of doors of opportunities for you to socialize with others.

Studies show that people who socialize often decrease their chance of getting sad and depressed. They even produce more happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. This leads to a longer and more fulfilling life.

Final Words

Here’s an interesting finding: pet owners, according to another study, have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and other causes.

A similar conclusion can also be read in one of the publications of the Circulation journal. Researchers have found out that there’s a 21% reduction in the risk of death for people who have heart diseases. Not only that, but they further observed that people who are recovering from injuries and ailments of various causes recover better and faster when they have dogs.

So, there you have it. Thank your dog today. They sure bring a lot more benefits than we first thought.