How Owning A Dog Increases Your Life Expectancy (And Helps Your Heart Health)
If you've ever been a proud dog mom or dad, you can attest to the joy that these animals bring into a human's life. Their cold noses have the power to warm hearts, and you don't have to do much to earn their love and affection. They keep you company, make you laugh, and give life purpose. It's no wonder that owning a dog can increase your life expectancy, too. In fact, it's been scientifically proven to provide a range of health benefits for the heart while lowering the risk of certain diseases.
When it comes to your health, many factors play a role in improving, maintaining, or worsening it. For example, it's widely known that smoking and excessive drinking have negative consequences on health, while regular exercise and a balanced diet have the opposite effect. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but no one develops this condition overnight; various factors, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, contribute to it over time. Sharing your life with a dog can eliminate some of these contributors, which can ultimately help extend your lifespan. These health benefits also complement the emotional benefits of owning a pet.
Owning a dog encourages physical activity
Not everyone wakes up at 6 a.m. every day to get a run in, or takes an evening stroll after dinner. Some people just don't have the motivation, but loving a dog that loves walks can change that. Every caring dog owner wants their fur baby to be happy, so if being walked will make your dog's day, you'll be more likely to make time for outdoor walks. A 2019 UK study published in Nature Portfolio confirms this: The study found that dog owners are more likely to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity than those without dogs.
It's recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of exercise, including moderate-intensity aerobic activity. This equates to about 21.4 minutes a day. Even if you don't hit your target heart rate during your outdoor time with your pup, walking at a leisurely pace still provides some health benefits for you. If you go hiking with your dog, you both can enjoy the relaxing perks of a scenic hike, including the negative ion benefits — those electrically charged molecules in the air that help you feel good — as well.
When you become more active, you reap heart and other health benefits. A daily 30-minute walk can lower the risk of coronary heart disease, certain cancers, Type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Daily walking can also lower your risk of obesity, another contributing cause of heart disease.
Sharing your life with a dog can lower your blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease, and heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. If you have high blood pressure, being a dog mom or dad can help lower it. The American Heart Association reported that pet owners have "significantly smaller increases in heart rate and blood pressure" compared to adults who don't own pets, based on results from various studies.
Wondering how a dog can help lower blood pressure? Just as with many other health conditions, high blood pressure has multiple causes, and one of them is stress. If you reduce your stress levels, you can reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Dogs have been proven to create a calming effect in humans, reducing stress and anxiety, especially when you pet them.
Dogs love unconditionally and oftentimes want to be wherever their humans are. With their loyal companionship, soft fur, and desire to connect, it's practically impossible to not feel better when one chooses to snuggle up beside you to love on you. How can you stress when a dog is resting its chin on your lap, as if to tell you that everything is going to be okay? Consider it one of the unexpected side effects that living with a pet could have on your health.