There are many benefits to owning a dog, which can reduce loneliness and depression. In addition, the scientists found that dog owners lived longer, presumably related to reduced cardiovascular mortality.
New York, NY (Merxwire) – Dogs are faithful friends of human beings. Many people have the experience of raising dogs, but do you know? Not only does owning a dog improve your social life, but it can also make you live longer. According to research, older adults who own dogs have a lower mortality rate from cardiovascular disease than those who do not own dogs.
A study by the American Heart Association linked dog ownership to longevity. Older adults who own a dog can reduce their risk of death from any cause by 24 percent, especially those with heart disease, compared with older adults who don’t own a dog, said the study, which included 3.8 million participants and ten related studies.
Why owning a dog reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and death? Scientists speculate that it may be related to healthy living habits. Taking care of pets requires maintaining a certain amount of energy. Elderly owners of dogs can achieve the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week by walking their dogs for 20 to 30 minutes a day. When the amount of activity is sufficient, the cardiovascular system will also be healthy. Of course, the number of medical visits due to illness will be reduced.
According to the World Health Organization, heart disease, and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide. Compared with people who did not own dogs, the elderly who owned dogs had a 33% lower risk of heart disease death and a 27% lower risk of stroke death. And, even after a heart attack, people who own a dog have a higher chance of recovery than those who don’t.
Having a dog is also very beneficial for older people with stable health. First of all, keeping a dog is very helpful to the mood. It can not only relieve psychological stress, anxiety, or depression but also improve mood and positively impact mental health. Furthermore, taking the dog out for a walk or play every day will increase the owner’s chances of getting in touch with the crowd, interacting and chatting with people, and thus having a better connection with society.
It’s just that keeping pets is a challenging task, and you must think carefully before making a decision. Suppose you have yet to experience raising dogs before adopting a pet. In that case, it is recommended to refer to the opinions of experienced people and evaluate the economy, time, and breeding environment. After all, raising a pet is a lifetime decision, so don’t decide on impulse.
