Owning a dog has been linked to increased physical activity and improved mental health. Dog owners typically engage in more exercise than non-owners, as they are responsible for walking, playing, and caring for their pets. This increased physical activity helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and obesity (American Heart Association, 2021). In addition to physical benefits, dog ownership has a positive impact on mental health. Interactions with dogs stimulate the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin—neurotransmitters associated with happiness and stress relief. These chemicals help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Moreover, dog owners tend to have lower levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, compared to non-dog owners (Beetz et al., 2012).
Dogs also encourage outdoor activity and social interaction. Visits to parks or dog-friendly spaces increase opportunities for positive human interactions, which can alleviate social isolation and anxiety. The act of caring for a dog promotes emotional well-being by fostering a sense of responsibility and connection. In short, dog ownership offers a range of physical and mental health benefits, for improving overall well-being.
References:
American Heart Association. (2021). Healthy Bond for Life: Do Dog Owners Live Longer? Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/do-dog-owners-live-longer
Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: The possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234
I think this is my sign to get a dog!:)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. I think it was simple and straight to the point, however, it was also very informative! I always figured that having a dog improves mental health because it allows one to give and receive unconditional love, but I never thought about how owning a dog increases mood by causing one to have increased physical and social activity, it seems obvious now, but it was something I had never thought about, so thank you!! I wonder if and how growing up with dogs may impact one's childhood development. Do you think children with ADHD or autism could benefit from having a dog?
This is such a nice blog!! as a dog owner myself I have experienced and can say there is so many health benefits to owning a dog, especially when it comes to mental health, I really enjoyed how it was a very informative but not boring piece, I was able to learn the many benefits and good things that come with owning one. Some of them I wasn't even aware of.
ReplyDeleteI also found an article called "8 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Dog Ownership" on PureClinica, it provides additional insights on the positive impact of dogs on physical activity, heart health, and stress reduction.
Pure Clinical (2023). The Impact of Dog Ownership on Mental and Physical Health. Pure Clinical, 4(3). https://www.pureclinical.com/dog-health-benefits
I LOVE MY DOG! I really believe that owning a dog can boost quality of life in so many ways. An interesting study I came across by Jiang et al. (2022) makes dogs look even better, as it shows that dog ownership (specifically looking at the elderly) not only encourages more physical activity but also positively affects gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria that support overall health. It’s amazing how much our furry friends contribute to our physical and mental well-being!
ReplyDeleteJiang, C., Cui, Z., Fan, P., & Du, G. (2022). Effects of dog ownership on the gut microbiota of elderly owners. PLOS ONE, 17(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278105