Benefits of Having a Dog

 Need A Little Help With Your Health? Get A Dog!

Dogs are considered man's best friend. But did you know that having a dog gives you several heath benefits?

In studies done by medical professionals, dog owners benefit from their pet's presence in several ways:

1) Improved cardiovascular health - Dog owners have been proven to have blood pressure and cholesterol lower than ordinary people. These factors reduce the chance for cardiovascular diseases. Stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. A study from the New York State University found that these benefits continue even without the pet available. The study tested a group of stockbrokers with hypertension. They concluded that just being a pet-owner can lower blood pressure.

Dog owners also have blood cholesterol levels lower than normal. Five thousand four hundred people were tested by the Baker Medical Research Institute of Australia and with the results showing pet owners having not just lower blood pressure but also lower levels of blood triglycerides and cholesterol compared to people who didn't own any pets.

2) Faster recovery time and higher survival rates - Hospital studies have found that seniors and recently operated on patients responded better to treatment and got better quickly while they were in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Just petting a dog can be relaxing and therapeutic for recovering patients.

Also, dog owners have a greater chance to survive after suffering from a serious illness. Several studies have discovered that pet owners who suffered from a heart attack were more likely to be alive a year after they were discharged from the hospital than those who did not own pets. Another New York study found that pet's affected their survival rate more even more than the presence or company of family members or friends.

3) Fewer visits to the doctor - Studies conducted at Cambridge and the UCLA have found that owning a pet corresponds to overall improved health and less need for hospital visits. A Medicare study of its elderly patients also discovered that those who own dogs visit the doctor less than those who don't have a pet.

4) Mental Wellness - Patients who have dogs have also been known to have better emotional health than their counterparts. They offer unconditional love and affection; their presence alone helps reduce loneliness for sick people who have otherwise been isolated. Several studies of people with major illnesses have shown that the stress of fighting the disease is significantly reduced when they had a dog as company.

As you can see, having a dog is a great investment, for the joy that you get from owning one and the health benefits that you can receive. So go out and get a dog!

About the author:

Steve Hall is the owner of several websites: Free Information Portal: http://www.your-official-guide.com

Multiple Streams of Income Affiliate Portal:

http://www.your-information-guide.com Milwaukee Wisconsin Hometown Portal: http://MilwaukeeWisconsinOnline.com

 Steve Hall

More Articles 

Dog Behavior Problems: Help! My dog is a nuisance when he misbehaves! - Moses Chia
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say, “I hate it when he barks non stop… or he utterly embarrassed me when he mounts people’s leg”. Dog owners usually have no problems to fill in tons of their dog behavioral problems into the above...

Choosing the Right Dog Breeder - Eric Shannon
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to search for a breeder from which to purchase the animal. This can typically be as simple as opening the advertising part of your local newspaper, however you need to be sure that you're choosing a...

The Facts on Dog Bite Lawsuits - Katie Brandt
While dogs may be our best friends, some dogs can become aggressive and bite someone. A dog bite falls under the law in the personal injury category. Each state has various laws regarding the liability of the dog's owner. Following are...

Dog Training: When To Reprimand And When To Reward - Amy Howells
There are a lot of things people have to remember when they start dog training. There are a lot of different dog training techniques to try. Some of these dog training techniques work, while other dog training techniques seem to work against you....

"Basic Principles In A Dog Lovers Club" - David Riewe
There are lots of dog lovers clubs in the US that offer a lot more for both the dog lovers and their dogs. Here are some of them. The American Kennel Club has a dog lovers sections called "For the Love of the Purebred Dog". This article is...

Leptospirosis In Dogs - Kirsten Hawkins
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect a dog's blood, liver, and kidneys. The bacteria that cause the illness are carried primarily by rats and other rodents, but dogs that are infected with the disease can infect other dogs as well....

Universal Principles for Successful Dog Training - Moses Chia
Dog training is not rocket science and is not as difficult as you think. It is certainly possible for ANY dog owners to train their dogs themselves provided they put in adequate amount of effort. The principles listed here are universal to dog...

A Good Tip For Dogs With Itchy Skin - Adam G Katz
Now that summer is in full swing, many dogs are experiencing dry skin and excessive itchiness. I know that my dog, "Forbes," certainly has been! Of course, the first thing you'll want to rule out is fleas. But barring fleas, I've found that the best...

Bringing a New Dog into a Home With Existing Pets - John Schwartz
Health Issues Your very first action after officially adopting a new puppy or dog - before you take him or her home - should be to stop by your vet's office for a thorough examination. If you have other pets at home, you don't want to...

Soft Or Hard Dog Food - Which Is Best? - Kirsten Hawkins
Sometimes dog owners are faced with a dilemma regarding what type pf dog food to provide their dogs. Dogs themselves tend to prefer the moist, canned types of food. They are more aromatic and naturally tempting to the dog's palate than the dry...