You may not know it, but in US households, there are actually more pets than homes. And as another interesting fact, there are also actually more pets than people in the country as well.

With studies showing how pets, particularly dogs, can provide health benefits aside from the usual companionship that they give, it is no surprise why more and more people are owning pet dogs these days. This spells good news for existing dog owners as well as those who are thinking of getting a dog for their pet too. Here’s how owning a dog can help you live a healthier, happier and yes, longer life.

Reduces risk of heart problems. Previous studies show that dog ownership can actually do wonders for your heart, with rates of survival for pet owners with heart problems higher than those who did not have a pet companion. This is because contact with pets can trigger relaxation response. Moreover, more studies also recently show that survival rates of pet owners with heart problems are higher than those without pets. Simply put, pet-owning people may less likely die than those who do not own one, with the effect of owning pets independent of the extent of heart diseases.

As a matter of fact, pet ownership ranked as the topmost contributor to recovery among patients with heart diseases. This interestingly ranked higher than factors such as a spouse or family support. Pet ownership is considered an important factor in assessing a patient’s prognosis for long-term survival.

Reduces blood pressure. Certain studies also show that owning a pet dog can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels as well as triglyceride levels.  

Reduced visits to doctors. Pet owners have been found to have lower stress levels than do non-owners. Moreover, they are also noted to have lesser visits to their doctors as well.

Lowers Stress Levels.  Pet interaction, such as with dogs, for instance, can lower the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for triggering stress levels in people. The ability of pet dogs to lower overall levels of stress can perhaps accounts for many of their life-extending characteristics. For instance, an overzealous dog can actually give a pet owner the opportunity not just to bond with him but also to get exercise as well.

Speeds up healing. The way a dog shows affection can actually speed up the healing process of pet owners who may have previous injuries such as in the ligaments, muscles and tendons. In fact, a pet dog’s companionship can actually be good for overall physical strengthening as well.

Moreover, several studies also show that dog companionship leads to lower feelings of loneliness for many senior patients being housed in nursing care institutions. This is because old aged fellows tend to have an increased need to be loved, accepted and to belong. Pets such as dogs or cats can give them the love and companionship that they need at this point in their life.

Simply put, owning a dog, or any other pet is not only beneficial to a person’s feelings as well as sense of well being, but they can also greatly contribute to a person’s longevity than those who do not own one. Reasons may usually be attributed in the psychological sense, such as a decrease in levels of depression and loneliness as well as stimulating exercise and enhancing gaiety and nurturing.

Claims of dogs contributing to a longer life in humans, are not, after all, plain psychobabble, as these are actually backed by studies. And so you now have all the more reasons to get a furry friend of your own.

Now you know why they say a dog is man’s best friend.