AD⎜The Power of the Dog for Your Family’s Health and Wellbeing

*This is a paid partnership.

---

As you may know, we have recently welcomed a new addition to our family. Annie our labrador puppy brings us so much joy, she is such a little gem.
The power of the dog for you and your family’s health and wellbeing is more than you might think, which today’s guest post will discuss.

We all know the joy that having a pet can bring. If you’re an animal lover, the excitement, happiness, and love that fills your home when you bring a pet into the picture is second-to-none.

That said, your dog may have more of a positive impact than you might think. In fact, they can not only have an impact on you and your family’s mental health, but also your physical health, and general wellbeing too! Even if you’ve had an injury and need physical rehabilitation, or were misdiagnosed in accident & emergency and require emotional support, your dog could be the answer.

Here, we’ll be talking about some of the many positives of having a dog. Be it physical benefits, mental benefits, or social benefits, a dog can truly change your life…

The Power of the Dog for Your Physical Health

Firstly, let’s talk about how your dog is one of the best pets out there for improving you and your family’s physical health . It may surprise you to learn that your dog can do so in a number of ways…

 

Encourages You to Exercise

The most obvious benefit of having a dog is the incentive they provide for you and the kids to get out of the house and exercise. Many dogs require at least an hour of exercise per day, and this can come from a simple walk around your local area. If you’re lucky enough to have fields nearby, even better!

 

Not only will your dog encourage you all to take a walk outside, come wind, rain, or shine, but they should also initiate more playtime outside too. Especially if you have young kids, your dog could be a great source of fun and exercise for your children out in the garden. Meanwhile, you can get on with the household chores without them getting in the way; it’s a win-win!

 

Improves Your Immune System

Amazingly, having a pet can also help to improve your immune system. Dogs are actually one of the best pets for this, as they bring a huge number of healthy bacteria into the home. Much like vaccinations, these small doses of positive bacteria help build immunity to certain illnesses later in life.

 

Could Prevent Allergies

In a similar way to above, these healthy bacteria also prevent many children from developing allergies, and even asthma. By exposing children and babies to the dried flakes of dog skin they spread around the house, your intestinal tract microbe composition is altered. This can prevent the contraction of pet allergies, hay fever, and sometimes even nut allergies too.

 

May Prevent Obesity

Yes, your dogs are a great way to encourage exercise within the home, which inherently reduces obesity in families. That said, couple this with the healthy microbes brought into the home, and you have a recipe for weight reduction. In fact, dogs are actually known for bringing Oscillospira into the house; a gut microbe known for reducing the chance of obesity.

 

Less Health Problems

Not only do pets boost your immune system, but they also have an effect on your cardiovascular health. In fact, studies show that those with pets have a lower blood pressure and are less likely to suffer from heart problems. What’s more, elderly people with pets have been shown to make less visits to the GP than those without.

 

Mental Health Benefits of Having a Dog

One of the most important concepts of health and wellbeing is mental health. Right now, in a world where mental health problems are rife, finding long-term solutions is paramount to our society.

The positive effect that a pet can have on your mental health, especially a dog, can’t be overstated. Not only do they prevent loneliness, as you always have a companion to keep you entertained, your dog can cause a number of mood-boosting positives…

 

Playing with Your Dog Unleashes Happy Hormones

First and foremost, when you play with your pet, this can release hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are known to keep people calm and relaxed. So, it’s no wonder people with dogs end up showing less signs of mental health problems, as we’ll see next…

 

Relieves Depression and Anxiety

In general, having a pet has the amazing ability to reduce the chances of depression and anxiety. The simple act of stroking a pet stimulates the basic human need for touch, and can significantly alter a person’s demeanour, and even attitude to life. In fact, prison studies show that even hardened criminals softened up, perhaps for the long-term, after social interaction with an animal.

 

Provides You with a Purpose

Ultimately, having a pet provides you with a life purpose. Especially if you don’t have children or a partner, and aren’t where you want to be in your career just yet, your dog gives you a reason to get out of bed each morning. Through looking after them, exercising them, feeding them, and loving them, you’ll have something to keep you going until your career and family goals are met too.

 

May Improve Your Social Life

Clearly, dogs have a really important impact on you and your family’s physical and mental health. That said, they can also have a hugely positive impact on your general wellbeing, not least your social life…

 

Can Help You to Meet New People

These days, it can seem more difficult to get out of the house and meet new people but, with a dog, this can all change. For starters, it could help you to interact more with people you already know. Perhaps there are neighbours you never speak to who own dogs; maybe you could start taking your dogs on a walk together for you all to socialise?

What’s more, many dog owners also meet new faces whilst walking their pups. Runners or walkers have a habit of stopping to say hi to a dog, so this is the perfect conversation starter.
To add to this, dog owners can also meet new people at doggy day-care and training schools. So, if you really want to make your pup a priority, then this is the perfect chance to meet new people too!

 

Can Change Your Social Attitude

To add to the fact that you’ll be meeting new people regularly, and interacting with your neighbours more, they can actually change the way you interact for the better. Especially within children who grow up with dogs, having them around can help children to develop crucial life skills.

Empathy is one of the greatest emotional skills children can learn from their pets. Alongside this more advanced emotional reaction, their cognitive development may also be more advanced too. It’s truly amazing how our pets can teach us so much.

 

Teaching Responsibility

If you have kids, a dog can not only teach your children valuable emotional and cognitive skills, they can also teach your children a bit of responsibility too. Through having to look after another being, by feeding and walking them, they can learn skills that will be invaluable in their future life.

 

Bringing the Family Together

Last, but certainly not least, having a family pet can help to bring you closer together. By having a joint responsibility, you can work as a team to keep your pet active and entertained. So, going on walks together and taking trips to explore your countryside may become commonplace in your household.

 

Want to Improve Your Health and Wellbeing?

Clearly, getting a dog has an astounding number of positives for people of all ages. Whether it be improving physical or mental health across the board, or just providing life skills, dogs can truly work miracles.

 

That’s not to say that owning a dog won’t be difficult. Yes, a dog has many amazing benefits, but you can’t forget that they also take a lot of work. So, it’s important that you’re really sure about getting a dog before you take the plunge.

Do you have a dog yourself, or even any other pet? Have you noticed any of these benefits making their way into you and your family’s life?