The benefits of keeping a dog-and the surprising science behind it
Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay
An analysis of nearly 4 million people in the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom in 2019 found that keeping dogs was associated with a 24% reduction in the number of premature deaths from any cause. If the person has had a heart attack or stroke, it would be more beneficial to have a dog; they are less likely to die from cardiovascular disease by 31%.
However, another large study published around the same time found that people who own dogs have better health after suffering from major cardiovascular events such as heart disease or stroke. Dog owners who live alone have the highest gains. Compared with survivors without dogs, heart disease survivors who own dogs have a 33% lower risk of death. Stroke survivors living alone with dogs have a 27% reduction in death risk. The American Heart Association puts diabetes reduction on the list of health benefits of keeping dogs. "People who walk their dogs regularly have a risk of diabetes that is one-third that of people who don't own dogs," said the American Heart Association.
In addition, keeping a dog (or other pet) can provide important social and emotional support and is a "powerful predictor of behavioral changes that may lead to weight loss," the American Heart Association said. Of course, the benefits of aerobic exercise only apply to dogs-not cats, horses, gerbils, etc. Many people believe that the potential exposure to exercise can explain this benefit: Research pointed out by the American Heart Association found that pet owners who walk dogs exercise 30 minutes more per day than people who don't. However, Dr. Martha Gulati, editor-in-chief of CardioSmart.org, a patient education platform for the American College of Cardiology, said that the jury is still unclear about the reason. "Is it a dog or a behavior?" Gulati asked. "Is it because you are exercising, or because the types of people who choose to keep dogs are different from those who don't? Are they healthier or richer? We don't know this."
Take your dog to a picnic. "Bring some healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, mixed nuts, and plenty of water (including a bowl for the puppy). Bring a ball or other fun toy, AHA recommends. Join the sprinkler for your kids and dogs. “When the weather is hot, bring a swimsuit and sunscreen, and take the kids and dogs to run around in the cooling spray,” AHA said, or go to a dog-friendly beach or swimming pool. AHA recommends joining local fundraising walks or fun running activities, including dogs or playing "take or hide" with your dog. "Even if you only have 10 or 15 minutes, you and your dog will get some time for exercise and intimacy." However, the American Heart Association also warned that keeping pets is a commitment to care, accompanied by certain financial costs and responsibilities, so "the main purpose of adopting, saving or buying pets" should not be to reduce cardiovascular risk.
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