Is having a dog really good for your health?

Australia loves dogs. We have one of the most high indicators of pet ownership in the world, and every second family has at least one dog.

But are they good for our health?

Mental health – second The most common reason for getting a dog is the feeling of camaraderie. And many of us say we “feel healthier” because of our dog—and let it sleep in our bedroom.

This is what it means for our physical and mental health to share our homes (and blankets) with canine companions.

Are there physical health benefits of having a dog?

Owning a dog is associated with a lower risk of death in the long term. In 2019 in systematic review collected data spanning 70 years and including nearly four million individual medical cases. The results found that people with a dog had a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause than those without a dog.

Having a dog can help lower your blood pressure through more physical activity.

Dog ownership was associated with increased physical activity. This lowered blood pressure and helped reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

The review found that for people with a previous history of cardiovascular disease (such as a heart attack), living with a dog reduced the risk of death by 35% compared with people with the same history but without a dog.

Another recent one studyconducted in the UK, found that adult dog owners were almost four times more likely to engage in daily physical activity than non-dog owners. Children in households with a dog are also more active and play more unstructured games than children without a dog.

Exposure to dirt and germs brought in from the street Maybe also strengthen the immune system and lead to less antibiotic use in young children who grow up with dogs.

Children in families with a dog were often more active.

Health risks

However, dogs can also pose a danger to our physical health. One of the most common health problems among pet owners is allergy.

Saliva, urine and dandruff dogs (the skin cells they shed) can cause allergic reactions leading to a range of symptoms – from itching and runny nose to difficulty breathing.

Recent meta-analysis combined data from almost two million children. The findings suggest that early exposure to dogs may increase the risk of developing asthma (though not as much as owning a cat). The child’s age, the number of contacts with the dog and individual risk play a certain role.

Slips, trips and falls are another risk: dogs cause falls more peoplethan because of cats.

The dog can also leave you bites and scratcheswhich can cause infection and pose a danger to people with weakened immune systems. Additionally, your dog can introduce zoonotic diseases into your home, including ringworm And campylobacter – a disease that causes diarrhea.

For those who sleeps with dogs in the same bedthe risk of allergies and ringworm infection increases. This can lead to loss of sleep as dogs move around at night.

On the other hand, some owners notethat co-sleeping with their dogs makes them feel more secure and the emotional benefits outweigh the possibility of disrupted sleep or waking up with flea bites.

Proper veterinary care and hygiene are essential to minimize these risks.

Many of us don't just share a home with a dog—we let them sleep in our beds.

What about mental health?

Many people know that the benefits of a dog are not only physical.

As companions, dogs can provide significant emotional support, helping to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Their presence can bring comfort and a sense of purpose to people facing mental health issues.

Loneliness – serious And growing public health problem in Australia.

Dogs can help you'll strike up conversations with strangers and make new friends at the dog park or in your neighborhood. This social interaction can help strengthen feelings belonging to society and reduce the sensation social isolation.

For elderly people Dog walking can be a valuable remedy for loneliness, promoting social interaction with neighbors and also helping to combat decreased physical activity.

However, if you experience chronic loneliness, you may be difficult communicate with other people while walking. Australian study showed that simply bringing a dog into the household is associated with a decrease in feelings of loneliness. People reported improved mood, possibly due to a stronger bond with the dog.

Walking your dog can make it easier to interact with people in your neighborhood.

What are the disadvantages?

While dogs can bring great joy and many health benefits, there are also downsides and challenges. The responsibility for caring for a dog, especially one with behavioral or health problems, can be exorbitant and create financial stress.

Dogs have a shorter lifespan than humans and the loss of a beloved companion may lead to depression or aggravate existing mental disorders.

Compatible with lifestyle and living conditions also play a major role in whether a dog is a good fit.

The so-called pet effect suggests that pets, most often dogs, improve human physical and mental health in all situations and for all people. In reality, everything is much more complicated. For some people, having a pet can be more stressful than beneficial.

It is important to note that the animals living in our homes are not just “tools” for human health. Owners and dogs can mutually benefit as long as they take care of the welfare and well-being of both.