Science Shows Having a Dog is Beneficial For Your Health

Jun 04, 2019 by apost team

Scientists have now found owning a dog can actually be beneficial for your physical health. I think this is something we have all seen coming.

People have dogs for all types of reasons. One of the most obvious reasons is because they’re cute, furry, and can brighten up our lives. Not only that, but they are a source of comfort for many people and provide assistance for all sorts of activities.

A study published in Nature, an International Journal of Science, analyzed the physical activity levels of a community in West Cheshire, UK. The researchers studied a group of 191 dog owners and 455 non-dog owners.

The researchers found that dog owners were more physically active than non-dog owners.

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The National Health Service recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. 87.3 percent of dog owners achieved this target, compared to 62.7 percent of those without a furry friend according to the scientific report.

Dog owners walked their pets on an average of seven times per week or 220 minutes per week. This means not only did owners walk more often but for longer periods of time. Note: these activities did not replace other exercise but instead added to it.

Although this is awesome news for dog owners, people who are thinking about getting a dog shouldn’t use this as the only reason to get a pooch.

Researchers say, “Our pet dogs play an important role in keeping us healthy and this should be recognized and facilitated.” They also went onto say that a dog’s well-being must be carefully considered. – We think all pups deserve an extra-special back scratch for keeping us happy and healthy!

Are you a dog owner yourself or considering to adopt one? Well, these results are definitely one of the many reasons why dogs are amazing, don't you think? Let us know in the comments and be sure to spread the word about this article!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!