Owning a dog really can make you healthier. Being a pet parent is not only associated with getting more physical activity — but research shows dog owners have lower anxiety, depression and blood pressure.
Dogs were domesticated tens of thousands of years ago, and have been connected with humans ever since, though that relationship can take many different forms.1 In some cases, dogs are considered working companions, herding livestock on farms or assisting with hunting. Other dogs are trained for very specific jobs in the military, law enforcement, search and rescue or to support people with disabilities in daily life. In certain countries, dogs commonly live outside and are fed by the community rather than a single owner. In the United States and other areas, many of us have dogs that sleep with us in bed and act as full-time companions with whom we play, snuggle, walk and laugh.
I’ve had my pup, Cosmo for only four months and she’s already dramatically changed my health for the better. Here’s what she’s done for me, and what the research says about how owning a dog can help you.
Photo of the author with her dog Cosmo.Dogs Help Us Stay Active
We all know dogs need exercise. That often means a casual walk around the neighborhood with their humans once or twice a day.
My dog, a goldendoodle named Cosmo, needs a lot of exercise. Every morning, I get up before work and take her for a 45-minute walk. In the evening, I take her for an hour, stopping in the park to play some soccer. Since bringing her home, my average daily step count has doubled, according to my smartwatch.
And that’s not just my experience, studies back up the fact that people with dogs tend to get more physical activity than their pet-less counterparts—even when those pets aren’t dogs, according to a 2023 analysis of 49 studies.2
In 2019, researchers found that those extra pet-motivated steps may add up to a reduced risk of heart disease and even death, in a meta-analysis of 10 studies including over 3 million participants. In the study, dog owners had a 24% lower risk of death by any cause and a 31% lower risk of death caused by heart problems.3
Cosmo out for a walk.Benefits of Having a Dog for Our Mental Health
When I’m stressed or upset, Cosmo will come curl up next to me. Even though she’s only 8 months old, she can sense my mood. A 2024 study shows that she isn’t just guessing — she can probably smell it!4 The study showed that dogs were less likely to approach their food bowls when they were exposed to the scent of a stressed human than when they smelled a relaxed human or no human at all.
See also
Any pet owner can tell you, their furry friend is a part of the family. We can build relationships with them just like we do with people. In a study of women, the majority of whom had been abused as children, those who reported greater attachments to their pets (especially dogs) had fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. “These results suggest that strong bonds with pets, especially dogs, may alleviate anxiety and depression, aiding mental health interventions, particularly for vulnerable groups,” the authors wrote in JAMA in 2024.5
Our pups can be particularly helpful for elderly owners. A German study found that people over 80 years old who lived with a dog reported less loneliness during the pandemic.6 And another study suggests that caring for a pet while living at home can increase physical activity, reduce depression, and increase quality of life for people with dementia.7 An important caveat in the study was that the individual had to be involved in the pet’s care to see the benefit.
Whether you’re trying to lower your blood pressure, get more physical activity or need a reason to laugh every day, a dog might just help.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
