• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Living with dogs improves owners’ health, happiness

Posted March 24, 2016

 
Woman hugs Bernese mountain dog. Living with dogs improves owners' health, happiness by boosting exercise, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and reducing loneliness.
Living with dogs improves owners’ health, happiness by boosting exercise, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and reducing loneliness.

By Larissa Jester

Pet owners know and love the way Whiskers whirls around your legs when you return home from work, or the way that Buster barks and wags his tail to greet you at the door.

While pets make great companions for young and old alike, they can also be an important part of your overall physical, mental and social well-being as you age because having dogs improves owners’ health, happiness.

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Sharing your life with an animal has been proven to lower blood pressure, cimproveol, triglycerides and feelings of loneliness, reports the Center for Disease Control.

For older adults especially, animals also offer a steady source of companionship. If your pet requires regular exercise, this translates directly to increased exercise for you and may also lead to socialization. Whether you’re mingling with the other Jack Russell owners at the dog park or talking to strangers curious about your cat or rabbit going for a leash walk, you’ll learn that people who love pets adore talking to others about their pets.

Exercise Keeps you Healthy

On a chilly, rainy day, staying inside becomes more attractive than taking that after-lunch walk. When you have a pet, you’ll need to walk it no matter the weather. Even a 6-minute walk five times a week was proven to have health benefits for older adults.

Socialization Combats Loneliness

Exercise isn’t the only way to socialize with your pet. Patronizing animal-friendly restaurants, attending pet training classes or joining online communities for pet lovers also allow you to socialize with other pet lovers. Increased socialization may prevent or mitigate the onset of loneliness and social isolation that often accompanies aging.

Emotional Support Alleviates Stress

Some animals just seem to know when you’re down. They snuggle up to you and put their head in your lap. Petting them helps you feel better after a bad day. Not only do pets give you unconditional love and support, but they can also instill a sense of purpose, especially for older adults who may be retired. Particularly as you age and face a move to a senior living community, look for opportunities to keep pets in your home. Emeritus senior living communities offer pet-friendly housing, for example, which can help to ease the transition to a new living situation.

Animals Improve Heart Health

The health benefits pets offer — lowered blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides — translate directly to a healthier heart, explains the National Institute of Health and the CDC. While these benefits can directly reduce your risk of heart attack, even pet owners who have suffered heart attacks report faster recoveries than those without pets in the home.

Pet ownership can prolong your lifespan and your happiness. While dogs and cats may receive the most media attention, they are not the only types of pets to offer health benefits for older adults. Fish, birds, guinea pigs, chickens, mice, iguanas and rabbits have all proven to have a positive effect on physical and mental health. The benefits far outweigh any inconvenience that comes with caring for them.

Larissa Jester is a vet tech who has three dogs of her own. She loves to write about animal care and environmental issues.

 

Related Posts

  • dogs improve owners' health
    Dogs help improve their owners' health

    Dogs improve owners' health by making them more active, social,…

  • Siberian Husky cuddles with owner. The dog has high prey drive
    Dogs improve owners' mental health

    Studies show that pet owners tend to be healthier, happier,…

  • dogs eat grass
    Dog health: Why dogs eat grass

    Dogs eat grass if they have ingested something toxic. If…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: Dog health benefits

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Valentine's DayPandemictraining tipsSheddingPuppy-proofVacation dog careWaterRottweilerOutdoor activitiesWorking dogsPoodleOld dogsPit bullPawThanksgivingRescue dogPuppy kindergartenTwo dogsTicksSeparation anxietyPetfinder.comVeterinarianService dogsSmall dogsPomeranianPet sitterPet parentsYorkshire terrierSocializationPotty training

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Dog bite accident: What compensation are you entitled to?
    Dogs can cause serious injuries. Protect yourself and your wallet by understanding dog bite compensation laws. […]
  • What is canine pyometra? Understand causes, symptoms, treatment
    Canine pyometra is a serious uterine infection that affects around one in four unspayed female dogs. Spaying provides the best protection. […]
  • Can dogs eat potatoes? Are starchy vegetables safe for dogs?
    Can dogs eat potatoes? Keep your dog healthy by occasionally adding potatoes to its diet. Before changing your dog's diet, consult your vet. […]
  • Does my dog have Addison’s Disease? Understand symptoms, treatment
    Early detection and treatment are essential for canine Addison's Disease. With quick action, most dogs will make a full recovery. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.