The Cat vs Dog debate has been ongoing for centuries, but whether you’re a dog or cat person, having a pet makes our life so much better. However, But if others try to tell you that cats are better, here are 8 scientific reasons why they’re called man’s best friend.
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You’ll Have A Healthier Heart
The simple act of petting a dog has been found to lower heart rates and blood pressure. A study conducted in China in 2017 found a correlation between owning a dog and a reduced risk of coronary artery disease (source).
Similarly, other studies have found a correlation between pet ownership and lower cholesterol levels, and a greater chance of surviving heart attacks.
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You’ll Have More Exercise
One major advantage (or disadvantage) of owning a dog is that they need to be walked or played with multiple times a day.
This is good for you as the pet owner as this means that you are getting more than the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week, which can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. If you are unable to exercise outdoors because it’s too cold or rainy, we wrote about the best indoor exercises to do with your dog, which you can read by clicking here!
Owning a dog will make you exercise more.
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You’ll Have A More Active Social Life
While owning a dog sends a subtle message to others that you’re trustworthy, your best friend can also help facilitate your social network relationships.
A 2015 study found that dogs can spur new relationships but also facilitate the existing social networks (source). Another study also showed that dog owners have closer and stronger relationships with other people than non-dog owners.
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You’ll Get Sick Less Often
You might believe that the less germs we are exposed to, the healthier we are. There may be some truth to that, but in reality, the more germs we are exposed to on a daily basis, the better our immune system will be.
Owning a dog means that a more diverse mix of bacteria enters the house and gets inside the occupants. This means that our immune system is exposed to a more diverse mix of bacteria, leading to a stronger immune system.
Owning a dog helps create a stronger immune system.
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You’re More Resistant To Allergies
While dogs can trigger allergies for some people, a study found that children who grew up with a dog in the house have a lower probability of developing allergies.
Another study published in 2017 in Microbiome, found that women who lived with pets during pregnancy, had children who possessed the bacteria that is linked with reducing the probability of developing common allergies, reduces the risk of common allergies and asthma, and even lowers the chance of obesity (source).
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Your Dog Might Be Able To Detect Cancer
Owning a dog could potentially save your life. Numerous stories have come to light that makes it seem like dogs possess the ability to detect cancer.
There are numerous stories of owners with dogs that kept sniffing or licking a certain spot on their body. This caused them to have the spot checked out, only to discover that the spot their pet was so interested in was actually cancer.
These assumptive anecdotes have actually been tested and confirmed by scientific research. Now, there are even dogs who are specifically trained to detect cancer.
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You Will Be Less Stressed
Studies have shown that playing with or petting animals can decrease stress in humans. These interactions can increase your levels of oxytocin, the hormone that promotes the feeling of love, friendships and well-being.
It also reduces your body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. It has been shown that there is a high correlation between frequent interactions with your dog and greater productivity in the workplace and deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Playing with or petting animals can decrease stress in humans.
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You Will Be Happier
Last, but most importantly, people who own a dog have a lower likelihood of suffering from depression than their non-pet counterparts. Even those with clinical depression, having a pet can be integral to their recovery.
One of the reasons why you’ll be happier with a pet is that pets fulfill the basic human need for touch. Even criminals locked up in prison show changes in their behaviour after interacting with pets after a while.
The companionship of a pet can ease loneliness, and the little amount of exercise that you need to provide in order to take care of them can substantially boost your mood and ease depression.
