Dogs are our best friends! A lot of people have dogs as pets and there are many reasons for this. Apart from the obvious fact that they bring joy and fun into our lives, there are many other upsides of being a dog owner. If you are considering adding another member to your family, you’ve come to the right place.
In this post I will talk about why owning a dog is such a great thing. A lot of the information that I will share with you today is even backed by science. Dogs have been a part of human families for a long time, and they are one of the first animals to be domesticated in our history.
For over 15,000 years dogs have been our loyal companions, meaning that they have shaped and evolved into being incredible pets and much more.
1. Dogs make us more social
A group of scientists in UK did a study that concluded that dog owners in the UK have a larger chance of meeting other people (dog owners) simply because they own the same pets. The fact that dog owners are going to go out every day to walk their dog in parks increases the chances of them meeting someone and talking to them.
It’s quite simple actually, when taking a stroll two dogs might start playing together, which could be a conversation starter for owners, and let’s face it, there is nothing more interesting for a dog owner than to find a person with whom they can talk about dog hair, cuddling with their dog, or something funny that their dog did back home.
2. Dogs make us more active
One of the biggest diseases of modern age is obesity, as people eat unhealthy food, but don’t have the will to go out and get the exercise they need. Now, we don’t need science to understand how dogs help us stay active and burn some of those calories that we eat on a regular basis.
First of all, dogs require walks every day, some breeds even 2 or 3 times per day, meaning that you will have to walk with them as well. Additionally, dogs are playful animals and they like to run around and make their owners chase them, or the other way around.
3. Dogs improve our mood
If you spend just around 15 to 30 minutes per day with your dog, you will feel a lot calmer and more relaxed. Dogs can reduce the amount of stress we have and briefly make us feel happier. When you are playing with your dog, the levels of serotonin and dopamine increase in your brain and these neurotransmitters are associated with tranquility and pleasure.
On top of that, dogs are very interactive animals and they always want the attention of their owners. Whenever you come home from a hard day’s work, you will be greeted by your best friend that will always be happy to see you and this is something that is truly precious.
4. Dogs are great with kids
If you have small kids and you want to get them a pet but you don’t know what animal to go with, then worry no more, a dog is the answer. Dogs love kids and they enjoy playing with them. Even those breeds that are supposedly “dangerous” will protect your kid, cuddle together and take long naps.
Your kids will be able to learn a lot from your dogs by playing with them and taking care of them. They will learn responsibility, empathy and how being good to someone will make them give you their affection for the rest of their lives.
No matter if you decide to buy a small pup or adopt a dog from shelter, you should first prepare yourself for their arrival, learn as much as possible about taking care of a dog and acquire things that you will need for taking care of one.
Although it’s a wonderful thing to own a dog, there is a lot of responsibility involved. You should consider borrowing a friend’s dog for a few days and learning how it is to have a furry member of the family before you actually decide to take a dog permanently.
