{"id":109,"date":"2015-08-05T14:30:39","date_gmt":"2015-08-05T18:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=109"},"modified":"2026-02-19T20:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T01:00:05","slug":"health-benefits-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/health-benefits-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"9 health benefits of owning a dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you can\u2019t resist a cute puppy\u2019s face or you just want some company at home, there are many reasons why you might consider adopting a dog. But you may be surprised to learn that owning a dog is about more than just having a furry friend to greet you at the door.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the American Pet Products Association, <\/span>70% of households<\/span> in the United States have at least one pet, with 69 million households owning a dog. Sure, they\u2019re fun to have around. But, there are also benefits of having a dog that extend into your mental health and physical well-being: Statistics show that dog ownership can actually help to lengthen your life. <\/span>Experts found<\/span> that across more than 3.8 million study participants, owning a dog offered a 24% risk reduction in cardiovascular mortality compared to non-dog owners. Those who had previous cardiovascular issues experienced even greater benefits. And that\u2019s not all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the health benefits of having a dog?<\/span><\/h2>\n

People who own a pup might rave about how great it is, but the human-animal relationship has rewards that can be scientifically proven. The benefits of owning a dog go beyond companionship. Owning a dog can reduce your risk of certain health problems. Pet owners can <\/span>enjoy the following<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Dogs help you stay active<\/span><\/h3>\n

Man\u2019s best friend often needs to run and play to stay healthy and active, requiring dog owners to engage in at least some sort of physical activity with them. Even if you don\u2019t consider physical activity with your dog as proper exercise, you can still count this leisure time as a health benefit. <\/span>A study in Western Canada<\/span><\/a> found that men and women who took their canine companions out regularly engaged in roughly 300 minutes of walking per week compared to non-dog owners who only exercised half as much.<\/span><\/p>\n

Playing fetch with your dog using a stick or a ball can be enough to improve your heart rate and help you burn a few calories. Overall, many people who own a dog note that it\u2019s helped them to spend more time outside and even lose some weight. Even if you aren\u2019t trying to make changes to your physique, regular cardiovascular activity can help you have more energy and improve your overall health and wellness. If you can\u2019t own a dog, you can still reap these health benefits (and make money) by becoming a dog walker or volunteering at a boarding kennel or shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Dogs can help reduce risk of heart attack and heart disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>American Heart Association<\/span><\/a>\u00a0explored the relationship between cardiovascular disease and those who owned a furry friend. A group of 182,000 heart attack survivors were interviewed\u2014only 6% owned a dog. The study also explored if living alone with a dog made any difference compared to living alone without a pet. It turns out that individuals have a 33% better chance at surviving a cardiac event at home after hospitalization if they own a dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Dogs can help reduce triglyceride levels<\/span><\/h3>\n

Medical professionals have found<\/span><\/a> that dog owners tend to have lower levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, compared to non-pet owners. Typically, a person\u2019s diet, BMI, or whether they smoke can make an impact, but in the group of individuals they studied, none of these contributed to the change. However, at this time, it\u2019s unclear exactly why owning a dog can influence one\u2019s triglyceride levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

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