Are Dogs Beneficial for Your Health?

[Article déjà publié le 14 octobre 2024]

This year 2024, there are no less than 7 million dogs in France, which are spread across 30% of households in the country. It is young people who mainly live with “man's best friend”, particularly if they live in a rural area.
Owning a pet is therefore not at all an eccentricity, quite the contrary!

Numerous studies highlight the benefits that our dog friends have on our health. Be careful, however, the presence of a dog can also have some negative effects, so you must remain cautious. Scientists clearly explain to us the impacts that dogs can have on our health. Their article can be found on the website of The Conversation.

The magical powers of dogs on our mental health

We're not going to lie, the dog is surely the welcome champion! Any dog ​​owner can say it, our little companions know how to receive us and express their joy at seeing us again. Overall, the dog is therefore a great help for mental health. The latter is also the second reason most often given to justify the adoption of a ball of fur.

In France, an Ipsos survey reveals that more than 60% of dog owners see their animal as a factor that increases their well-being and relieves their stress. Fighting against loneliness is also a reason often given for adopting a dog. This concerns nearly 50% of adopters, particularly the elderly.
The latter often face disabling pathologies or a lack of social ties. So it's not easy to leave the house… The dog is sometimes their only source of companionship and affection. According to an American study, 36% of seniors who own a dog suffer less from loneliness.

The dog is also a good remedy against stress and depression. Several studies reveal a significant reduction in cortisol levels (a stress hormone) after a few minutes in the presence of the animal, as well as a reduction in depressive symptoms.
Children who grow up in the presence of a dog also develop fewer anxiety disorders.

A real remedy on legs!

There are several reasons for these mental health benefits. A dog, as a living being close to humans, needs a lot of attention. Dealing with it therefore occupies the mind and leaves less room for negative thoughts. In addition, it is a powerful vector of social connections, especially during outdoor walks. Walking with Médor generates encounters, exchanges… It's a friendly and neutral topic of conversation.
Petting a dog also causes a chemical reaction in the brain, allowing the secretion of oxytocyne, the “hormone of love and attachment”. This is also the case when Médor looks at us with affection and devotion.

For all these reasons, dogs are increasingly used as therapeutic partners. This is called Animal Assisted Therapy. This is a therapeutic method which is based on the positive exchange between patients and the animal. It promotes the improvement of human physical, cognitive, social or emotional capacities.
An American study shows that interaction with a dog had beneficial effects on children with cancer. It reduces anxiety and allows for more stable blood pressure.

Having a dog is beneficial for the physical health of individuals.
Credits: Shutterstock/FamVeld

Be careful of the stress that the dog can cause…

Certainly, dogs provide joy, companionship and many other benefits for our mental health, however, we must not forget certain disadvantages…

Adopting a dog comes with new responsibilities. Feeding him, taking him out, looking after him, playing with him… So many activities that require time and money. If he has behavioral or health problems, this can therefore be a significant source of stress and financial problems.

Dogs also have a shorter lifespan than humans. The loss of a beloved companion can therefore lead to depression or worsen existing mental health problems.

For some people, adopting a companion can therefore be more stressful than beneficial.

Médor not only affects mental health, but also physical health!

The dog not only brings benefits to our psyche, but also to our physique.

Thus, “man’s best friend” helps reduce the risk of death in the long term. A 2019 study shows in particular that people who owned a dog had a 24% lower risk of death compared to people who did not own one. And this, whatever the cause.

The most obvious benefit is, of course, increased physical activity. Médor requests several outings per day, necessary for his well-being.
Dog owners walk three times more than others. This represents around 300 minutes per week, or 200 minutes more than people who do not have a dog and double the minimum of moderate physical activity recommended by health authorities.
This therefore helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. People who had previous heart problems, such as a heart attack, also reduced their risk of subsequent death by 35% compared to non-dog owners with similar conditions.
Children living in a household with a dog are also more active and participate in games more easily than other children.

The presence of a dog also directly affects our health. Médor thus exposes us to more dirt and microbes from outside. This helps strengthen our immune systems, which reduces the use of antibiotics in young children growing up with dogs.

Despite everything, a dog also has negative impacts on our health

Despite all the benefits that dogs can have on our health, we still need to take some precautions.

Allergies are therefore the most common health problems among pet owners. Saliva, urine and dead skin from dogs can trigger allergic reactions with their share of varied symptoms: itchy eyes, runny nose, difficulty breathing… A recent study shows that early exposure to dogs can increase the risk of developing asthma in children. Although other studies sometimes indicate the opposite… In reality, the age of the child, the frequency of their contact with the dog and their individual risk also influence the possibility of developing this pathology.

Slips and other falls are more often a risk when you own a dog. The latter can also expose us to bites and scratches which, sometimes, can become infected and present a risk for people with a weakened immune system.
Dogs can also bring zoonotic diseases into the home, such as ringworm or Campylobacter, a disease that causes diarrhea. This is especially true for people who share their bed with Medor.

However, some owners report feeling safer when they sleep with their dog, with the emotional benefit outweighing the risk of sleep disorders or illness. Finally, most importantly, apply appropriate veterinary care and hygiene practices.

Having a dog therefore brings many health benefits. However, it's like everything, you have to remain vigilant and make sure not to take unnecessary risks and above all to apply hygiene rules to limit the occurrence of pathologies.
In addition, it is important to remember that the dog is not a stuffed toy and that adopting it is certainly a lot of happiness, but also a lot of responsibility…