Don’t Have A Pet Dog? These 9 Scientific Reasons Will Push You To Get One

I don’t like dogs.

Before you pass those judgmental looks, let me clarify. I don’t hate dogs, but it’s just that I don’t like them. If you are still giving me those judgmental looks, I’ll tell you the reason. The way they lick you, stare at you, freaks me out.

So, in the month of June, I visited my friend. After reaching there, I rang the doorbell. She opened the door and greeted me. As soon as I was going to enter the house, her dog came running from the other end. Seeing him run towards me and panting in excitement, I shouted so loudly that the poor thing got scared and stopped. My friend, who was witnessing the scene the whole time, comforted the dog (yes! The dog, not me!). After a while, the dog was taken inside of my friend’s roommate’s room.

Sitting in the drawing room and bonding over food, I still had a whiff of fear that the creature might come out of the other room soon. My friend saw my eyes, which were throwing a glance towards the other room and remarked, ”You are strange! Who doesn’t love dogs?”

”I don’t.”

”Exactly my point. Only you. You don’t know that dogs can be wonderful companions. After I come from my work, my tired soul longs for my dog’s excited barks and him planting a wet kiss,” she said.

While thinking about the logic about what she said, I went on, ”Dogs are scary! I don’t care about your stupid soul. I just know that I dislike dogs.”

My friend saw that there was no use in arguing with me.

When I got back, I couldn’t help but ponder about the conversation we had. As I wondered about this thing for days, I stumbled upon some Science facts that prove that you SHOULD get a pet dog.

Here are the benefits:

1. They keep the heart’s health in check

Snuggling with your pet dog may warm your heart. But, the researchers at the American Heart Association have found out that staying with a dog can actually reduce the risk of getting a cardiovascular disease.

The study conducted proved that the people having pet animals had a ‘significantly diminished increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma renin activity when exposed to mental stress.

 

2. They can sniff the presence of cancer

You must be knowing that dogs have a strong sense of smell. It’s 1 million times stronger than human beings. You might already be knowing that working dogs are used to locate the bombs in the police squad.

But, a study shows that you can train your regular dog to detect cancer (breast and lung cancer). They can distinguish between the breaths of a person suffering from both the cancers.

According to a 1989 case study in the Lancet, a patient’s dog used to sniff at a mole on her leg and the dog even tried to remove the mole completely. After witnessing this several times, she went to the doctor and a  malignant melanoma was detected.

 

3. They make us happier

As you might have already witnessed this, but Science backs up this claim. A study was published in the journal ‘Society & Animals’ which proved that a group of people owning dogs was happier than the ones not having it.

The happiness quotient differed a lot.  ‘Pet dogs scored higher than humans on their ability to provide ‘reliable alliance,’ ‘nurturance,’ and ‘companionship.’ The study was also conducted on cat owners, but they scored less than dog owners!

 

4. They keep us healthy

By protecting us from asthma and allergies. In fact, in a study led by UCSF, it was found out that children born in a household having dogs were less prone to asthmas and allergies.

In another study published by the Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, proved that early exposure to dogs during infancy reduces the risk of allergies. This is because of the presence of distinct house dust microbial exposure. And this microbe could be the reason that young children are protected from different allergens.

 

5. You’re more active when you are with dogs

Simply because you have to take them for regular walks. 🙂

According to The New York Times, a research conducted by Michigan State University stated that at least 60% of dog owners met federal criteria for moderate or vigorous exercises.

You tend to get a more regular exercise routine once you get a dog. This helps especially for the elderly people.

 

6. They can save lives: detect seizures

Dogs are perceptive enough to warn their owners of oncoming attacks of seizures.

The trained dogs can detect the oncoming of seizures at least 15 minutes before the attack. They start barking that lets the patient sit so that they cannot fall down. Some researchers also agree that if not alert, dogs do provide support and companionship for patients with epilepsy.

In a video uploaded by CBS, a 6-year-old’s seizure attacks were detected.

 

7. They help you reduce the stress levels

Dogs make you happy. But studies show that they can also help reduce the stress levels.

They reduce stress-reducing hormones oxytocin and another hormone named cortisol, according to this study.

 

8. They  can help you quit smoking

You must have seen a lot of advertisements that motivate you to quit smoking. I’m sure you must have tried it too but failed. And all you could reason was it’s too hard. The solution? Get a dog.

In this study, smoking patterns of dog owners were monitored. Around 28.4 % of owners tried to quit smoking because they feared the exposure of SHS to their pets and that motivated them enough to kick the habit once and for all.

 

9. If possible, take your dog to your workplace to reduce work pressures

Yes! You read that right. Dogs ease the pressure of jobs. This research shows that employees who brought their dogs to workplace had lesser levels of stress.

So, all you have got to do is talk to your boss and get him on the same page! 🙂 But make sure you talk to your boss first.

So here were the reasons that could convince you to get a dog. Did it inspire you to get one?

But before all of this, make sure that you’re responsible enough to handle a dog with care. If not, then it’s completely okay not getting one. You can always go to shelter homes and take care of dogs.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. 🙂

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