Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

Regular physical exercise is essential for preventing a variety of health issues, notably reducing overall mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer-related deaths.¹ It is also an effective treatment for chronic conditions such as depression, hypertension, cognitive decline, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes.

Physical inactivity ranks as the second most significant cardiovascular risk factor, following poor diet.² It is a more pressing concern than dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity, thrombosis, smoking, renal dysfunction, and genetic hypercholesterolemia.

Recognizing this, health guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.³ However, less than one-third of those advised actually engage in sufficient exercise, with only 20% meeting this benchmark.

Interestingly, dog owners are four times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than non-owners. The necessity of walking dogs promotes regular exercise, significantly lowering the risk of CVD and mortality (hazard ratio of 0.77; 95% CI, 0.73-0.80).⁴

Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Dog Ownership

Having a dog can lead to lower blood pressure (BP) and a decreased risk of hypertension (odds ratio of 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.80).⁵ Although factors like age and weight can influence these outcomes, studies have shown that dog owners—especially post-myocardial infarction patients with asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias—have a significantly reduced risk of dying within a year compared to non-owners.

Psychological Benefits of Dog Ownership

The psychosocial advantages of dog ownership include reduced stress and improved mood. Dogs can alleviate depression and enhance well-being, particularly for certain demographics, including singles, women, children, and older adults coping with loss.

Service dogs are increasingly recognized for their role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often alongside conventional therapies. This combination can lead to substantial reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, and enhanced social engagement.

In many families, dogs are viewed as integral members. The bond between an owner and their dog mirrors the parent-child relationship, exhibiting similar behavioral and neuroendocrine patterns—especially concerning oxytocin and cortisol levels associated with their interactions.

Important Considerations
While advocating for dog ownership can promote numerous health benefits, it’s important to consider:

• Dog ownership is a long-term commitment of 10-15 years.
• Many owners outlive their pets.
• Older adults with health issues should have plans for their dogs’ care if they can no longer provide it.
• The loss of a dog can be as emotionally challenging as losing a family member.

In conclusion, owning a dog offers well-documented benefits for both physical and mental health, making it a valuable consideration for enhancing overall well-being.

References:

1. Bricca A, Harris LK, Jäger M, Smith SM, Juhl CB, Skou ST. Benefits and harms of exercise therapy in people with multimorbidity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Ageing research reviews. 2020 Nov 1;63:101166.
2. Bays HE. Ten things to know about ten cardiovascular disease risk factors (“ASPC Top Ten–2020”). American journal of preventive cardiology. 2020 Mar 1;1:100003.
3. Singh R, Pattisapu A, Emery MS. US Physical Activity Guidelines: Current state, impact and future directions. Trends in cardiovascular medicine. 2020 Oct 1;30(7):407-12.
4. Mubanga M, Byberg L, Nowak C, Egenvall A, Magnusson PK, Ingelsson E, Fall T. Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death–a nationwide cohort study. Scientific reports. 2017 Nov 17;7(1):1-9.
5. Wright JD, Kritz-Silverstein D, Morton DJ, Wingard DL, Barrett-Connor E. Pet ownership and blood pressure in old age. Epidemiology. 2007 Sep 1;18(5):613-8.