How do dogs help human health?

While it won't surprise you that owning a dog can encourage you to exercise more, recent research has discovered that the benefits go even further than that. A study from the University of St Andrews discovered that dog owners over the age of 65 had the activity levels of someone 10 years younger. And a study in Missouri, USA, revealed that dog walking was also associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) and fewer doctor's visits. The benefits aren't confined to the over-65s either: research by St George's, University of London, showed that children from dog-owning families spent more time being physically active, and typically took an extra 360 steps each day. So every time you head out for a walk you're benefitting your health and your pet's.

There's more good news when it comes to owning a dog: studies have found a positive link between dog ownership and healthy blood pressure. So your pet is even better for your health than you thought, as high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attacks and strokes. American research discovered that dog owners were less likely to have dangerous 'spikes' in their heart rates and blood pressure during stressful situations. And an earlier study found that simply having their dog in the same room helped to lower test subjects' blood pressure better than a prescribed medication did. All the more reason to keep your pet close to you!

Dog ownership has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. One of the possible reasons, according to Harvard Medical School, is that owning a dog is associated with lower cholesterol levels and less fat in the blood - differences that weren't necessarily linked to diet, smoking or BMI. A 2017 Swedish study from Uppsala University also found that dog owners are up to 36% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, the scientists noted that owners of hunting breeds, like terriers and retrievers, had the lowest risk of heart disease across the study, perhaps because of the levels of exercise these pets need. However, exercise alone doesn't explain the results: your dog's love and companionship is also thought to make a difference - something we know you already appreciate.

A 2017 study by the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, proved what many dog owners have long suspected to be true: you sleep better if your dog is in the same room. However, researchers found that for the best night's rest, the pet slept off the bed. The scientists believed that sleep quality improved because a pet's presence provided a sense of comfort and security.

The power of curling up on the sofa with your pet is clear: several studies have proved that interacting with pets or therapy dogs can reduce the production of cortisol, often labelled the 'stress hormone'. In 2011, research by Kerstin Uvnas Moberg, a specialist in female health, also showed that oxytocin - a hormone linked to empathy and pleasure - peaks in both people and their dogs when they positively interact.