10 Physical and Mental Benefits of Adopting a Dog
Have you been contemplating the benefits of adopting a dog? Without question, you’re onto something big because the list is long.
Opening your home and expanding your family in this way opens the door to a wealth of new opportunities – a chance to experience unconditional love, get out and about more often, and meet new people.
While this is a big commitment, and something you must be ready for, let’s take some time to explore the countless ways a furry sidekick can almost instantly improve your life.
1. Unconditional Love
Unconditional love is something only a dog can provide. They don’t have moods that are subject to every whim that comes their way. It’s simple: they love you; they love seeing you come home in the evening; and they just want to be close to you.
Whether you’ve had a good day or a bad day, they will always be there for you. And, somehow, dogs have an innate ability to sense when we’re upset. It’s not a stretch to imagine your fine, furry friend trotting over to lay his or her head on your lap if you’re feeling particularly sad one day.
2. Less Loneliness
Sometimes, coming home to an empty house is such a hollow feeling. Instead of echoing hallways, you could have someone to laugh with; someone to tend to; someone to walk and feed. Instantly, those feelings of loneliness dissipate when you have a dog at home.
Also, when you wake up in the morning on the weekends, you have an immediate sense of purpose. Your fur baby will be anxiously waiting for you to start the day, give them some fresh air and exercise, and begin your routines.
3. Stress Relief
It’s easy to spot a dog-lover. Their face lights up whenever they see a tail wagging. Imagine a life where you were guaranteed to smile almost every day? This is one of the best advantages of adopting a dog.
Studies have shown that dog ownership ups the ante on two very important hormones: cortisol and oxytocin.
Cortisol is the stress hormone; it’s possible dog ownership will reduce this chemical. Meanwhile, oxytocin is the love hormone; it’s possible dog ownership will increase this chemical. Talk about a natural way to feel better!
4. Increased Mental Health
In a way, adopting a dog can take us out of ourselves. We won’t just focus on ourselves and our lives, whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. Instead, we have a renewed sense of purpose.
Once we adopt, we have someone to care for, nurture, and feed. This can help a person who may be dealing with depression, loneliness, or anxiety. If you have a well-trained dog, they won’t be an imposition but, rather, something positive to focus your energies on.
The bond between a dog and its owner typically becomes very strong over time. Things advance beyond pet and owner. Indeed, a dog becomes a member of the family. And, given their natural empathy, it’s hard to imagine a better family member.
5. Increased Physical Activity
You don’t have to go far to hunt down the benefits of physical activity. Something as simple as a fifteen-minute walk each day can boost those serotonin levels again and get the heart pumping.
Getting out into the fresh air has countless benefits. And, sure, you might take the easy route and let your dog run out the back door on their own. But, ideally, owning a dog will encourage you to get out there and walk around the block at least two or three times a day.
6. Decreased Blood Pressure
With all those shifts in cortisol and serotonin levels, it won’t come as a surprise when your stress levels drop a little. As such, there’s a chance your blood pressure might drop a few points, too.
Petting your fine furry friend isn’t heavenly just for them. It also produces a calming effect for people. This is, again, an instance where maybe your cortisol levels will decrease as your oxytocin levels increase.
7. Boosted Immune System
Ironically, one of the best ways to boost our immune system is to introduce dirt and allergens to your environment. This is not to dissuade you from keeping a clean home, of course.
But, the more we’re exposed to certain germs and dirt, the more our immune system bulks up. And there’s no way around the fact that dogs traipse in bits of dirt, mud, and other allergens.
Little bits of exposure to these elements over time can actually build our immune system, even as we clean up behind them day after day.
Also, if you plan to have children, it may be to their advantage that there’s a dog in the house. Their immune systems may start off with a small dose of environmental allergens to make them strong and healthy.
8. A Chance to Meet New People
If you’re sitting in an outdoor café with a cute pooch by your side, the likelihood of meeting someone who asks, “Can I pet your dog?” is high – especially if you’ve raised a friendly fur baby. This is one of the best conversation starters, if that’s something you’re in the mood for.
Also, if you live in a dog friendly city, you’re likely to find dog parks, dog friendly coffee shops, and even dog bars. Imagine a world where you’re likely to make instant friends simply because you all have a common interest.
If you’re new to a city or eager to get out in your own and build a sense of community, your little sidekick may be the key to your new acquaintances. To find you and your pup's new favorite hang out, you can search dog parks near me, dog friendly parks near me, and more!
9. Brand New Hobbies
When’s the last time you threw a frisbee in the park, skated on some rollerblades, or took the bike for a spin?
If you’ve invested in a dog trainer (or done it yourself), you can train your fur baby to jog alongside as you rollerblade or bike. Saturday mornings in the park could easily become your “new thing.”
There are many benefits of adopting through a shelter. You can search dog shelters near me to find your closest one. However, if you don’t adopt through a shelter but, instead, go through a breeder, maybe you’ll have a future in dog shows!
Also, you don’t have to go far to find a beloved YouTube channel featuring a family’s furbaby. You could start a new hobby by creating videos (and even generating some income) if it turns out the new addition to the family is a star in the making.
10. Ability to Save a Life
Last but not least, one of the most important benefits of adopting a dog is the ability to save a life. There are so many lost dogs out there who have been abandoned and are in need of a happy, healthy home. Indeed, the benefits of rescue dogs are endless.
Imagine the sense of reward you’ll feel when you know you’ve saved someone from a fate worse than death – a life confined to a cage. It’s also possible that, once you rescue one life, you’ll want to do it again and again. As your family expands, so will your heart, along with all those happy doses of cortisol!
Enjoy the Benefits of Adopting a Dog Today
It’s hard to find a downside to an expansion of your family. Of course, this is no small decision and you shouldn’t make it lightly. It’s a lifetime commitment of love and care.
But, if you’re ready to settle down and live a good life with a loyal sidekick brimming with unconditional love, then – who knows! Today might be the day that you start to enjoy the benefits of adopting a dog.