3 Surprising Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

Here are some surprising perks of owning a pet I compiled. It helps to know that owning and taking care of pet dogs today can bring a couple of helpful health benefits to us pet owners. Check out these 3 surprising health benefits of owning a pet.

1. They help fight stress

People in stress mode get into a "state of dis-ease," in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system, says Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health.

Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries, the red flag for heart disease, says Justice. Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells WebMD.

2. They fight weight gain.

Kids with dogs took 360 more steps and exercised 11 more minutes daily than those without dogs, a recent study from St. George’s University of London found! Put kids in charge of daily walks and potty breaks to maximize the benefit.

3. Help Elders with Alzheimer's

"Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. 

"Their caregivers also feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly if it is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog," says Hart.

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