Can Dog Ownership Cut Down Risks of Heart Attacks?

BY | March 27 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
Can Dog Ownership Cut Down Risks of Heart Attacks?

Image Source: Pixabay.com 

Dogs are marvelous creatures. They do a lot for us. They’re playful, mysterious, full of energy, loyal, and friendly, and they keep us in touch with our youth. Dogs add a lot of comfort and warmth to our lives. That’s why we love and value them so much. 

But did you know that there are so many other things that they could do too? Owning and taking care of a dog can significantly help your heart health. Although there isn’t any clear-cut evidence to support this, studies have found that people who own dogs are at a lower risk of developing heart conditions. Dealing with the random barking sessions at 3 am in the morning and chewed-up slippers or dog hair all over your favorite sofa seems like a small price to pay to ensure the health of your heart.

Before owning a dog, however, it’s important to ensure they have taken every pet medicine necessary for the health of both dogs as well as owners. Allergy medicine for dogs is one of the important medicines that must be given in order to protect the owners from getting different diseases from their pets. 

Dog ownership can also cut the risk of acquiring other fatal diseases.

Owning a dog takes a lot of responsibility. As part of his care, you’ll have to exercise him regularly, groom him, bathe him if need be, and give him a lot of attention. When you exercise with your dog, you’re automatically taking a step to being healthier in your own life.

Your doggo helps you relax and stay calm during even the toughest of situations – dogs tend to have that effect on people. Since you’re always calm when you’re around your dog, you’re also lowering your chances of acquiring high blood pressure. 

There are other aspects of the so-called ‘pet effect’ that can have a positive impact on your body and your overall health. Your normal blood pressure levels tend to lower when you start petting a dog. Owning a dog also lowers your chances of getting cholesterol. 

It’s also believed to lower your triglyceride levels. A recent study has found that when compared to non-owners, dog-owners had lower triglyceride as well as cholesterol levels. This theory can’t be explained using the human’s BMI (Body Mass Index), diet, alcohol consumption, or smoking.

It even helps with stress!

Your dog can help you cope with and work through a number of things. You know that when we exercise, our body releases feel-good hormones that make us feel instantly better. Similarly, when we’re playing with our doggo, taking him on walks, or just lounging around on the sofa, our feel-good hormones are heightened, lowering our stress levels. 

If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, think about your options carefully. Although having a dog is nice and comes with a lot of benefits, it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Make sure you’re able to take on that amount of responsibility before you get a dog. Although they’re capable of helping your heart, they shouldn’t be adopted just so you can reap the medical benefits.

Dog ownership provides various ways to engage physically and mentally

Keep your dog happy with toys

If you're a dog owner, you probably know how much your pup means to you. And while we all know that the unconditional love that dogs give is the best part of owning a pet, there's another benefit to having a pooch around: it helps keep your heart healthy!

Studies have shown that owning a dog can reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure. So how does this happen? Well, it turns out that having interactive dog toys or dog chew toys for your dog to play with can be just as beneficial to your health as it is theirs. Kong dog toys are one of the options for dog owners looking to add some fun to their lives. 

The more regularly you play with your pup, the more likely they are to stay active. And being active reduces the risk of heart disease and other obesity-related diseases. Plus, playing with your dog will also help reduce stress levels—for both of you! 

Managing day-to-day stuff for your dog

If you have a dog, you know that caring for them can be a lot of work. You have to feed them, train them, brush their fur, and even clean up after them! Dealing with pet accessories such as dog beds, dog bowl stands, dog bowls, dog brushes, dog cages, and others can be overwhelming.

But what if we told you that taking care of your dog could actually lower your risk of heart attacks?

Studies have shown that pet ownership is associated with lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. It's not just having a pet that helps—it's actually being responsible for the care of an animal that makes all the difference.

The stress-reduction theory states that owning a pet can reduce stress by giving someone something to focus on besides themselves. The distraction theory states that having something else in your life gives you something else to think about when negative thoughts start creeping up. Finally, there's the companionship theory which suggests that owning a pet brings positive social interactions into your life which in turn lowers stress levels as well. 

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