Benefits of Dog Ownership
I originally published this as “Pet Wellness” on The Wellness Lifeline in 2016. I thought it was time to bring back a few of the oldies. There are many acknowledged benefits of owning a pet. A pet fills your heart with love. Pets are a great way to beat the blues as they offer unconditional love. They give us a sense of purpose. My furry friends bring me joy, happiness and often laughter in their companionship.
Pet ownership gives us an instant icebreaker, whether they’re with you or you’re just using them as a topic of conversation.They have a way of sensing when you’re feeling down and offering their quiet presence. Sometimes they offer playful antics to lift your spirits. A pet can also help create a routine and structure in your day; feeding, walking, or simply taking time to play. They bring a sense of consistency and purpose that might otherwise be missing. All these things are reasons to also think about the wellness of our pets.
Emotional Benefits
For many, pets are more than just companions. They become part of the family, sharing in life’s milestones, from lazy Sunday mornings to outdoor adventures. In their silent understanding and non-judgmental acceptance, pets often serve as a safe space where emotions can be shared freely, without fear of rejection. They listen to your worries without interruption. Or they curl up beside you during moments of solitude, and greet you with excitement even after the most exhausting of days.
Beyond the emotional benefits, having a pet can also foster social connections. Whether it’s chatting with fellow dog owners at the park, sharing pet photos with friends, or participating in pet-related activities, pets create a bridge between people. They form bonds that might not have existed otherwise. They bring together a community of like-minded individuals who share the joys and challenges of pet ownership.
Healing Presence
For those who have faced loss or hardship, pets can provide a healing presence. They help to fill an emotional void and offering a sense of companionship and loyalty that can be hard to find elsewhere. They have an uncanny ability to distract from life’s worries, giving you something tangible and loving to focus on. The routine of caring for a pet can ground you during difficult times and give you a sense of stability when everything else feels uncertain.
Ultimately, the benefits of having a pet extend far beyond companionship. They teach us about responsibility, patience, empathy, and unconditional love, and in return, they ask for very little. A wagging tail, a soft purr, a playful nudge—these small acts of connection create a profound and lasting impact on our well-being. Thus, making our lives richer and more meaningful. Whether it’s a loyal dog, a curious cat, or any other animal friend, pets have a remarkable way of touching our hearts. They leave an indelible mark on our lives. This is why pet wellness also needs consideration, which we will discuss later in the blog.
It is believed that we get sick less. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have both conducted heart-related studies on people who have pets. The findings showed that pet owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. For those who have already experienced a heart attack, research indicates that patients with a dog or a cat tend to have better recovery rates as they help reduce their owners’ overall stress levels.
“Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home,” says Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dogs are often used to detect cancer and epileptic seizures.
Motivation
Additionally, pets can be an incredible source of motivation and inspiration. A dog’s eagerness for a walk can get you outside and moving. This helps to boost your physical health while also providing mental clarity. A cat’s playful curiosity can remind you to take a break, relax, and enjoy the little moments.
In many ways, pets encourage us to live more in the present.They help us appreciate simple pleasures like a warm snuggle or a fun game of fetch. Dogs actually act as the perfect personal trainer, because they need to be walked several times a day. According to studies, like those conducted by the Wellness Institute at Northwest Memorial Hospital, you’ll gain the rewards when you walk your furry friend. This can include losing — or at least maintaining — weight. Research conducted by the National Institute of Health also supports this claim in a study of more than 2,000 adults. It found that dog owners responsible for walking their furry friends are less likely to be obese than dog owners who pass the duty off to someone else or those who don’t own dogs at all.
Pet Wellness For Our Furry Friends
Clearly, our furry friends are extremely helpful in helping us deal with life. But, with all the benefits of pet ownership, what do we do to help our furry friends live a longer and happier life? Pet wellness starts with proper nutrition. Choosing high-quality, balanced food that suits their specific needs, from age to breed to any health conditions. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential, catching potential health issues early and ensuring they’re up to date on vaccinations and preventatives.
Equally important is giving them plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Whether it’s daily walks, interactive toys, or agility training, keeping them active not only strengthens their bodies but also sharpens their minds. Creating a safe and comfortable living environment—with cozy bedding, engaging toys, and spaces they feel secure in—contributes to their sense of well-being.
Nurturing
In pet wellness, we can nurture our furry friends with good nutrition. As they get older they benefit from vitamins just as we do. Keeping them vaccinated is important as well and I have used holistic therapies with good benefits. My little schnauzer had back problems and found spinal manipulation worked extremely well and eliminated both pain and the problem. My daughter’s little basset/beagle mix has had back surgery and continues to get holistic treatment to keep her back healthy. Dogs also like veggies which are healthy for them too. My dogs like not only green beans and asparagus, but they like pumpkin and blueberries which I put on the top of their food as a special treat.
In addition, prioritizing emotional health is crucial. Positive reinforcement training builds trust and good behavior, while spending quality time together strengthens your bond and reduces their stress. Grooming sessions, like brushing or bathing, are not only good for their physical health but also serve as bonding moments that can reassure and comfort them.
Socialization
Socialization plays a key role too; exposing them to new environments, people, and other animals can help reduce anxiety and make them more adaptable. Finally, don’t overlook the importance of giving them plenty of love, attention, and affection—our pets thrive on companionship, and showing them how much they mean to us is the best way to return the unconditional love they so freely give.
Social relationships are important because strong bonds mean protection from loneliness and depression for both us and our furry friends. It isn’t the amount of time as much as the quality of time. Cuddling up with you while you read or watch television are important for bonding too.
When discussing pet wellness, it is important that their life be fun too and it doesn’t take much to do interesting things with our furry friends. My golden doodle, Brandy, loves watching baseball and tennis. In the above picture she went hiking with me and chose a stick to carry with her. She likes following the light with the balls. Just giving them different toys to play with help give them a good life. Exercise is a healthy lifestyle for not only us but our furry friends. Scratching posts are great for our cats and dogs can get exercise in the house as well as outside. Mine love catching their tennis balls or soft toys and will often play games chasing each other around the couch or dining room table. Mac, my schnauzer, would get Brandy running around the dining room table and then sit under it and watch her run around it.
Overview
Spay or neuter your furry friend for pet wellness. It actually protects them against cancer in the later years. After running a spay/neuter fund and a pet rescue operation for 12 years I saw firsthand the problems when animals are not spayed or neutered. I also saw the need for companionship for our dogs and cats.
Play and bond with your furry friend. Go for daily walks, if you can, as it is healthy for you both. If not, give them new toys and experiences. My golden doodle, Brandy, loved the beach and swimming in the ocean. My schnauzer, Mac, put one toe in the water and said “I don’t think so.” He then sat back away from the water. It won’t take long to know what they like. Training also is important because our furry friends are intelligent and love to learn new things. That can also be a form of exercise. I practice heeling and tricks around the house with my golden doodle. Once you find your furry friend’s favorite activity, do it as often as you can.
What are your questions about Pet Wellness? What do you do with your furry friend to enhance their life? And what does your furry friend do to make you laugh? Share with me! Take time to stop and smell the roses, and enjoy life with your furry friends. Take a look at my new book, Promises Kept, to see some of the beautiful rescues. Safe journeys until next week :).
