Ever wonder why you work so hard just so your pets can lay around and live the good life? It turns out they're pulling their weight. Ongoing research shows you may be getting more health benefits from your pets than you'd ever imagine. We've pulled together some of the top studies from around the world that make a solid case for just how good your animal friend is for you.
Much of this research supports the brain-body connection — the ability of our emotions to influence our physical health. People dealing with chronic anxiety and depression often develop hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and other issues tied to the stress hormone cortisol. When given a pet to care for, people with stress-related conditions showed reduced cortisol, lower cholesterol, and greater feelings of calm and well-being.
1. Pets Can Help Lower Incidences of Asthma and Allergies
A study of three thousand children investigated the link between pet ownership and allergies. Children with pets showed less sensitization to both indoor and outdoor allergens than children without them. Pet ownership during the first two years of a child's life was also inversely associated with pollen sensitization.
Pets appear to play a real role in strengthening a child's immune system, too. Children living with cats or dogs have a lower incidence of hay fever and asthma, and are less likely to develop pet-related allergies later on.
2. Pets May Help Lower the Severity of Heart Attacks
A National Institutes of Health study followed 421 adults who had suffered heart attacks. One year later, more dog owners were still alive than non-dog owners — regardless of how severe the heart attack had been.
3. Pets Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Rates
In the same NIH research, out of 240 married couples, those who owned a pet had lower blood pressure and heart rates than couples without one. Couples with a pet also recovered faster from stress — and responded to it more mildly — when their pet was with them than when a friend or even their spouse was.
4. Pets Ease Feelings of Social Rejection
In three studies, subjects were asked to relive past experiences of social acceptance, social rejection, or physical harm, then describe their emotions. Afterward, they were asked to name dogs, cats, or plastic toys and describe their well-being. Across all three studies, subjects who named dogs or cats reported reduced feelings of social rejection. Even viewing pictures of dogs or cats improved the well-being of "rejected" subjects.
5. Dog Saliva May Have Healing Properties
Researchers at the University of Florida discovered that dog saliva contains nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein associated with faster wound healing. Dog saliva also contains nitrite, which breaks down into nitric oxide — a compound used in wound dressings for its ability to keep bacteria out of scratches and cuts.
6. Bonding with Pets May Help Reduce Healthcare Costs
A 2003 study exposed subjects to something anxiety-inducing (in this case, a tarantula). Those given a living rabbit or turtle to hold and pet saw their anxiety drop significantly — a stuffed animal didn't have the same effect. Earlier studies found that simply touching a living animal generates positive, comforting emotions in both anxious and non-anxious people. In fact, pet ownership has been linked to nearly $4 billion in decreased health expenditures over a single decade.
7. Dogs Are Good for Your Heart
Dogs appear to reduce cardiovascular risk. Beyond helping with stress and depression, they get their owners moving. A study of 5,200 adults found that dog owners walk more than people without dogs — and were 54% more likely to hit doctor-recommended levels of physical activity.
Another study followed 71 adults for 10 months, comparing the health of pet owners and non-owners. New dog owners showed a significant reduction in colds, infections, and other minor health problems within the first 30 days — and the benefits to behavior and general health appeared to hold up over the long term.
A Healthy Dog Is a Free-Range Dog
All of these benefits depend on one thing: your dog getting to be a dog. Exercise, exploration, and time outside are where so much of this good stuff comes from. At DogWatch of Atlanta, we've spent years helping dogs enjoy that freedom safely with hidden fence systems that keep them in the yard and out of the road. If you're ready to give your dog more room to roam — and get a few of these health benefits yourself — reach out today for a free quote.
