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Training & Behavior

Dogs & Mental Health: 6 Benefits of Having a Dog

February 19, 2023 · 2 minute read by Mette Iacovou
Dogs & Mental Health: 6 Benefits of Having a Dog

It should come as no surprise that dogs are the most popular pet, with over 38.4 million households owning dogs in the United States as of 2022. Dogs truly give us something to laugh and smile about every day. They offer unconditional love, great company and endless entertainment. But did you know that dogs also provide remarkable physical and mental health benefits? Discover the profound connection between dogs and mental health as they provide remarkable benefits to our overall well-being.

6 Ways Dogs Positively Impact Mental Health and Well-Being

A girl lying on a couch with a dog

  1. Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.

  2. People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.

  3. Playing with a dog, cat, or other pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.

  4. Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.

  5. Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.

  6. Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.

A person holding a dog

So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the remarkable connection between dogs and mental health. There are so many dogs in shelters just waiting to spoil you with love, while also providing remarkable benefits for your mental health. In return, there is no better way to keep your dog living a long and healthy life than feeding your pup an all-natural, human grade, species specific, just as nature intended diet, all available on Dr. Harvey’s.

About The Author
Mette Iacovou
Mette Iacovou

Mette Iacovou is the customer service manager at Dr. Harvey's. Mette has worked in the customer service industry for over 30 years. Mette holds a bachelor's degree in Communication from Rutgers University and a Pet Food Nutrition Certification.

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