Dog owners have healthier hearts than people who don’t have pets, research suggests.
And those who already have cardiac problems may be more likely to survive if they have the companionship of a pet. The American Heart Association reviewed studies from around the world and concluded pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, ‘is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease’. The strongest data comes from studies which show that dog owners walk far more than other people.
Research also credits pets with relieving stress and having a beneficial effect on obesity and cholesterol levels. Glenn Levine, who led the study, said there may also be a psychological benefit from simple companionship. The American Heart Association said the research doesn’t actually prove that the benefits come directly from the pets. For instance, it may be that healthier people are particularly likely to be animal lovers.
However, the links are strong enough for it to have issued a statement saying that pet ownership and, particularly dog ownership, may be associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. Dr Levine, of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, said the benefits may come from a range of physical factors, including exercise and stress relief. Speaking as he walked his three dogs, he said: ‘A person may take better care of themselves if they have a good bond with a pet and feel better about themselves and are more motivated to live longer.’
He added that pet owners still need to take care of their heart in other ways. ‘The primary reason you should adopt or rescue or buy a pet is to give that pet a loving home and to derive enjoyment from the relationship . ‘We don’t want people to go out and adopt a dog or a cat and then sit on the couch eating potato chips and smoking a cigarette and assume they are now going to live longer.
We've got three now, but have the mother in law's dog most days too.
They certainly keep you fit, I walk ours for an hour a day. The love you get from them is unconditional and wonderful.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
"If you give him a biscuit perhaps he'll let you."
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
rubato wrote:My life goals are 1) the 4-day work week and 2) a dog.
Still trying for both of them.
yrs,
rubato
The 4-day work week is understandable but what's stopping you from getting a dog?
Both of us commute so the dog would be alone for about 12 hours a day. Dog's like company. Not good for the dog. My wife is off on mondays and if I could get an additional weekday off we might be able to get it to work. Another alternative is getting a job here in town so I'd be away only 8 hours and might be able to come home for lunch, which might happen.
