Puppies have a way of lifting your mood. Their big eyes and floppy ears trigger the innate caregiver response in humans.
Petting your dog causes you to release oxytocin, which lowers stress hormones and leads to feelings of bonding and love. It can also help you relax and reduce your blood pressure.
They’re Good for Your Health
Aside from being the best cuddle buddy, owning a puppy offers several health benefits. For starters, dogs are natural stress relievers. A small past study found that petting a dog for 10 minutes minimizes anxiety, lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, and raises serotonin and dopamine levels in owners.
They also promote physical activity. A 2019 market research survey found that people who own a pet walk their pups 22% more often than people who don’t have a dog. This can help reduce cholesterol, too.
Having a dog can also be suitable for kids. Younger school-age children may still be learning to interact with others, but owning a dog can teach them about sharing attention and being responsible for another living creature. And even older adults can benefit from owning a dog; a 2019 study found that having one is associated with 24% less risk of dying prematurely. Moreover, dog owners visit the doctor 21% less for minor illnesses such as headaches and colds than those who don’t have a dog.
They Help You Deal With Stress
A dog isn’t called man’s best friend for nothing. Puppies can provide companionship and unconditional love, helping their owners cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. They also teach children how to care for another living being, giving them a sense of responsibility and purpose that can boost self-esteem.
Stroking, petting, or playing with a puppy can reduce blood pressure and increase serotonin and dopamine levels, two neurochemicals that promote relaxation and a positive mood. Even hardened prison inmates have found comfort and ease in petting dogs, and a 2019 study showed that people who own dogs are 24% less likely to die early than those who don’t.
Walking your dog can help you stay physically healthy by burning calories and lowering cholesterol. Furthermore, research has shown that pet ownership increases social interaction and enables you to develop a network of friends. This is especially true for older adults, who may live alone or struggle to interact with others. During the COVID-19 lockdown, many older adults reported that their furry friends helped them overcome loneliness.
They’re Good for Your Kids
There’s a reason they call them man’s best friend: Pomsky puppies for sale are mood-lifting, empathetic, and just plain good for you. They’re also calming and provide kids with unconditional love, which is excellent for young children who are still learning how to form healthy relationships.
Kids who grow up with pets learn about responsibility and better understand the importance of treating others with respect. They also know to share — whether it’s their toys, attention, or food — and research suggests that this will carry over into interactions with other people.
Additionally, dogs can be a social lubricant for the entire family, helping you meet new people. Taking your dog for walks, playing in the yard, and other activities will help you get to know more people in your community. A 2015 study found that pet owners are likelier to have strong ties with their local community than those who don’t own pets. This could lead to greater happiness for your whole family. In addition, spending time with your pet increases your physical activity. This, in turn, improves your overall health.
They’re Good for Your Relationships
Puppies are a great way for couples to bond and spend time together. They are a shared responsibility, so you and your partner must work as a team to meet your pet’s daily needs. This can lead to sweet moments, such as walking your dog or playing catch in the yard together. Additionally, the stress-relieving power of spending quality time with a puppy can make your relationship stronger.
Dogs also help owners form new friendships by providing a social lubricant that allows people to talk with each other more easily. This is especially true during walks, dog parks, pet stores, or training classes.
In addition, studies show that pets can improve the quality of a couple’s marriage by reducing their time apart and bringing them closer together. Having a pet can also help you develop empathy for others because it teaches you to be selfless and compassionate as you care for another living creature. This can significantly benefit children and adults struggling with isolation or loneliness.
They’re Good for Your Finances
Many children have dreamed of owning a puppy since they were young. While fulfilling that childhood fancy may be a great reason to bring a new puppy into the home, holding puppies can also offer children numerous benefits that impact their emotional and cognitive development.
One of the best things about owning a pet is that it encourages family members to play together. A dog’s antics, like jumping in puddles and chasing leaves, can help the family laugh together and bond. It’s also been reported that pet ownership can increase your social circle.
While pets can be expensive, if you adopt instead of buying and avoid extra pet expenses such as grooming or doggie daycare, you can significantly reduce the cost of pet ownership. Additionally, setting up a savings account for your furry friend can make covering surprise expenses and emergencies easier. The money saved by putting aside $100 or $200 monthly can grow over time. To lower your overall pet costs, you can shop for a purebred puppy from a shelter or rescue rather than a breeder.
