FACT: Dog Owners Live Longer

You may not know it, but in US households, there are actually more pets than homes. Another interesting fact is that there are actually more pets than people in the country as well.

It is no surprise why more and more people are owning pet dogs these days. Aside from the usual companionship that dogs give, studies show how they can provide health benefits as well. This spells good news for existing dog owners as well as those who are thinking of getting a dog as their pet too. Here’s how owning a dog can help you live a healthier, happier and yes - longer life.


Reduces risk of heart problems. Studies show that dog ownership can actually do wonders for your heart, with rates of survival for pet owners with heart problems higher than those who did not have a pet companion. This is because contact with pets can trigger relaxation response. More recent studies also show that survival rates of pet owners with cardiovascular problems are higher than those without pets.

Simply put, pet-owning people may less likely die than those who do not, with the effect of owning pets independent of the extent of heart diseases.

Believe it or not, pet ownership ranks as the topmost contributor to recovery among patients with heart diseases. Interestingly, this ranks higher than factors such as a spouse or family support. Pet ownership is considered an important factor in assessing a patient’s prognosis for long-term survival.

Reduces blood pressure. Certain studies also show that owning a pet dog can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels as well as triglyceride levels.

Reduced visits to doctors. Pet owners have been found to have lower stress levels than non-owners. They are also noted to have lesser visits to their doctors as well.

Lowers Stress Levels. Pet interaction, such as with dogs, can lower the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for triggering stress levels in people. The ability of pet dogs to lower overall levels of stress perhaps account for many of their life-extending characteristics. For instance, a zealous dog can actually give a pet owner the opportunity not just to bond with him but also to get exercise as well.

Speeds up healing. The way a dog shows affection can actually speed up the healing process of individuals who may have physical injuries. In fact, a pet dog’s companionship can actually be good for overall physical strengthening as well.

Moreover, several studies show that dog companionship leads to lower feelings of loneliness especially for many senior patients being housed in nursing care institutions. This is because old aged fellows tend to have an increased need to be loved, accepted and to belong. Pets such as dogs or cats can give them the love and companionship that they need at this point in their lives.

Simply put, owning a dog, or any other pet is not only beneficial to a person’s feelings as well as sense of well being - they can also greatly contribute to a person’s longevity than those who don’t. Reasons may usually be attributed in psychological perspective, such as a decrease in levels of depression and loneliness, stimulating exercise, and enhancing nurturing and gaiety.

To say that dogs can contribute to longer life in humans is not all plain psychobabble. Studies have proven them so. I guess you now have more reasons to get a furry friend of your own.

Now you know why they say a dog is man’s best friend.

Having worked for the last fifteen years as a Dog Control Officer in Dutchess County, New York, author Marge Pizzutti shares what she knows and what you need to know about dogs in this Xlibris release. This self-published book is a collection of true dog stories that are sure to touch your heart, tickle your senses, inform and simply amaze you. Dog Tails also even contains humorous chronicles of the author's encounters with wild animals and cats as well.

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of this book.

Image Sources:

http://thedogtrainingformula.com/; http://www2.xlibris.com/