Welcoming a dog to your home and making them a part of your life is a significant commitment, bringing many benefits. If you have friends and family members with dogs, you will know how much they dote on their pets and the joy they bring to their lives. This is because dogs are not only super cute but can also help to enhance your health and well being. Here are some of the benefits you can gain from bringing a dog into your life:

Companionship:

Loneliness is something many people experience at certain times in their life. Feeling lonely is not a pleasant feeling, and is something that can leave people feeling isolated and disconnected from society. Welcoming a dog into your life is an excellent way to beat feelings of loneliness. A dog is a constant companion, and you can enjoy many happy years in each other’s company. So, if you are looking for a friend to enrich your life and care for, then a pet dog could be the ideal choice.

Stress Relief:

Like loneliness, feelings of stress are something many people experience on a daily basis. Stress can have a negative impact on a person’s life and can impact both physical and mental wellness. Finding ways to reduce stress levels is crucial to prevent it from causing long term damage and developing into chronic stress. Many dog owners report that their pet helps them feel calmer and seems to intuitively know when they are feeling stressed.

Research has shown that both dogs and cats can help their owners to lower their stress levels. Studies have shown that pet companionship can help reduce cortisol levels, which is the body’s main stress hormone, and increase oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter most associated with feelings of love and bonding. So, there is scientific proof to back up what pet owners already know; owning a dog helps to reduce stress and helps them feel better.

Exercise:

Many people struggle to get as much physical activity as they should. When you own a dog, being physically active is no longer optional; it is essential. All dogs need exercise, and it is up to you to give them the physical activity they need to live a long life and thrive. Caring for a dog means you get the perfect opportunity to be more active without any excuses standing in your way.

Routine:

If you often burn the candle at both ends and have slipped into an unhealthy routine, becoming a pet parent can help you get back on track. Dogs require a routine to keep them healthy and happy. You will need to bring structure to both your and your dog’s day. Little things such as remembering to make frequent supermarket visits for Walmart pet food or vet appointments will bring structure to your day too. As long as they get fed regularly and receive the exercise they need, your dog is sure to be happy with their routine.

As you can see, our pet dogs truly take care of us too – could there seriously be a more perfect animal?!

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