Lowering Your Risk of Dying Early by Owning a Dog

We all know that dogs bring joy to our lives.  That’s a given!  There are even studies that show how simply watching dog videos boosted energy and healthy positive emotions while decreasing negative feelings.  A study conducted by the American Heart Association concluded that having a dog is protective against dying of any cause.  The review consisted of nearly 4 million people in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia.  The numbers do not lie!

Furthermore, dog ownership was associated with a 24% reduction in all cause mortality.  It was also noted that those people who had a dog had a 31% reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.  Another study found people who owned dogs had better health outcomes after suffering a major cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.  It is also interesting to note that the highest benefit was for dog owners who lived alone.

Loneliness and social isolation are strong risk factors for premature death.  However, researchers do mention that they cannot prove that that dog ownership was the direct cause of the increased life expectancy or the better health outcomes listed above.  Is it truly the dog or the behaviors that come along with taking care and socialization with the dog?  Either way, the benefits are still life-changing!  Fun fact: petting a dog can reduce your blood pressure as much as a medication.  Yet another benefit of owning a dog!

Dogs are beneficial to all walks of life – young, middle-aged, and even elder.  Dogs decrease stress and promote relaxation regardless of the stage of life.