What are the benefits of keeping a pet dog? Expert: It can make your heart healthier

Can keeping pets make owners healthier? It’s not magical and it’s backed up by research!

Mayo Clinic journal published a study on the impact of dog ownership on the owner's body, the Kardiozive Brno 2030 study, which tracked 1,769 Czechs with no history of heart disease for 5 years. The study will continue to collect data until 2030. Its research score is based on 7 simple life indicators, including BMI, eating habits, physical activity, smoking habits, blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol, and then evaluates heart health.

And a healthier heart because of better blood sugar levels! This is all because keeping a dog encourages the owner to go out and play with the dog regularly, and the amount of exercise will naturally increase, thus reducing the chance of heart disease. It turns out that there is a connection between the heart health of dogs and their owners!

At the same time, another study in the UK showed that dog owners walk more than people who do not own dogs. Dog owners walk 870 miles a year and 21 miles a week, 17 of which are with their dogs. In contrast, people without dogs walked 14 miles a week. 23% of owners also stated that they have become more sociable after raising a dog, and 16% of owners feel that they have become more connected to the community.  

With the companionship of a dog, the owner's living habits become healthier and the mental stress is reduced. Nearly half of those who did not own a dog said that if they had a pet, they believed they would be more willing to go out.  

Taking the dog out for a walk has many disadvantages for both the owner and the dog itself. Dogs have a certain positive influence on their owners, and they are also an important factor that encourages owners to go out and share good times with friends, which should not be underestimated.