There have been plenty of studies done on dogs and dogs with families, to show that science has the answers when it comes to whether or not you should have a pet. Scientifically, the answer is yes! Dogs can provide so many health benefits and these benefits span physical, emotional and spiritual health. There is every chance that you are already familiar with the relaxing effects of pets on people, so every time you get home imagine how relaxed you would feel with a dog in the hall, wagging his tail and happy to see you?
There are so many ways that a pet can help you, from the walks you do every day, to the way that you will feel good just knowing that even when you are feeling sad you have a dog that’s there to hold and cuddle. You can expand your social cycle, and you can meet other people with dogs, too. You can pamper your pet with the best clothes, food, harnesses and more and you can even hire the best dog poop service to clean up the poop so you don’t have to. There are so many reasons you should say yes to having a dog, but here are 10 signs that you need a pet in your life.
- You are itching to be healthier. There are so many reports that show that if you want to be healthy, getting a dog is the best thing to do. It’s not just the physical and psychological benefits of having a dog that will ensure that you feel good about yourself every single day. Playing with your dog, going for long leisurely walks, going for runs with your dog, all of these things are going to help you to be healthier. Dogs contribute to a much better quality of life, and it’s not just because of the walks that you do. The low cholesterol levels and improved cardiovascular health that comes from going for walks is going to be beneficial to your body physically, but the mental health benefits are really going to help if you are feeling low.
- You are aiming to live longer. Did you know that because of all the walking that you do with your dog, you’re going to live longer because of the increase in physical activity? Did you know that there are studies that show that across the world, over 4 million people have proven that dog ownership is linked to 24% reduction in death from any cause? If you’ve ever wanted to live forever, you won’t make it even if you have a dog, but you’ll still live longer than you thought you would!
- You want to lose weight. We are talking about walking here, but you’ll feel safe going for nighttime runs and early morning jogs if you have a dog by your side. This is especially the case if you have a bigger dog who you could basically use as a guard while you run. Not only will you be able to exercise your dog, you’ll be able to lose weight because of all the exercise you are doing yourself. Knowing that you have a dog with you it’s going to help you to be more confident as you run. Sometimes, those who are overweight struggle to get out in public because they feel embarrassed by the way that they look. If you ensure that you have a dog, you will always feel comfortable going out because you don’t have a choice – he needs to be walked! It’s going to help you with your confidence in the long run while you lose fat.
- You’re feeling isolated. Dogs are social creatures, and so are humans – when we want to be. One of the biggest advantages of owning a dog is that they make you feel less isolated. Dogs draw you into being social whether you like it or not, and they will bring you to other people who have dogs. Your pet is part of your heart and your home, and soon enough he will be a part of your brand-new social circle. People can’t help but feel drawn to pets in the community, and clearly you can’t either if you’re looking to have a pet in your life. If you are an antisocial person in general, having a dog can help you to get out of your shell and make some new friends. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it’s going to be one of the best things that you can do for yourself.
- You need help to socialize. Speaking of socializing and getting out of your shell, those who are introverted and find it hard to establish connections with others are really going to appreciate having a pet in their life. There will always be a current topic of conversation, and you will be able to understand the basic human needs for friendship when you have a dog. There are plenty of studies that show that whether you are dealing with making friends as a child or you’re making friends as an adult, having a dog is going to help. If you need help to socialize, get yourself a dog and see how fast you manage to make a new group of friends.
- You need companionship. When you are a senior, it’s very easy to become isolated from friends and family members who live far away and are living their own lives. Instead of turning into yourself and never going out anywhere ever again, the best thing you could do is have a dog. Elderly pet owners are frequently telling others how empty and lonely their lives can be, but without the comforting presence of the dogs they wouldn’t know where to turn. Having a dog encourages you to get out of the house and get some exercise, and it can give you someone to talk to. Sure, they can’t talk back in the same language, but you can bet they will hear you and will be able to understand.
- You want to teach your children compassion. If you’re a parent and you’re looking at getting a pet, you might choose a dog so that your children can learn to take care of an active, comforting and happy animal. There are plenty of studies that show that students and children feel more relieved of stress when there is a dog to come back to at the end of the day. As a parent, you want your children to feel happy and this is one of the best ways to do it.
- You’re lacking joy. Every single day, you should wake up and find a reason to feel joyful. You should think about the signs that you aren’t getting that joy and what could change that. The presence of a dog in your life is going to change everything for you and having a dog is going to bring you joy that you didn’t know you needed. The joy you feel is going to release some happy hormones into your brain and limit the release of stress hormones, too. Your dog is going to make you happy, jump around and entertain you and they will give you that feeling of happiness from the moment you wake until you go to sleep. The happier you make your dog, the happier you will be and all of the dog walks and the treats will be worth it in the end. Dogs can bring you closer to yourself, and they can make you feel good every single day.
- You have the money. A good sign that you should have a dog is that you are financially healthy enough to look after one. Dogs can be pretty expensive, from the food and fun to the health appointments and medicines that you might need to buy. Dogs are not cheap to own and the commitment that you make means that you are in for the long haul when it comes to how much you pay or your dog. You’ll have to think about immunizations and your dog’s comfort and what that may cost, too. There are plenty of ways to save money on owning a pet, but there are also ways that you could spend way more than you intended.
- You feel that you’re ready. The chances are you are doing your reading on this topic and you can’t think about anything else! If you want a dog and you are aware of all of the things a dog could bring to your life, then you should get one and you are ready for it. Consider your work life, your home life and your current family life – if they all will suit having a dog, then go for it!
A dog is a beautiful addition to any family and once you feel like you’re ready, your next step is choosing the right breed and making your new family member a permanent fixture in your home.