Health
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Owning a dog could actually increase your’s and your children's health. Dogs have a bit of a bad reputation as allergy-inducing animals. Whilst dogs can be a trigger for people with allergies, they can in fact build up your children’s tolerance. Growing up in a house with a dog will make your children less likely to have allergies in the future as they have built up a tolerance to them. Better health can mean better school attendance, better school attendance means improved grades, and the domino effect continues. Having a dog can also develop your child's abilities to empathise, make them more caring, and help them to undertake responsibilities at home.
The most obvious health benefit of owning a dog is the amount of exercise you’ll start to do! They need to be walked and played with in order to be happy and healthy. It’s a happy coincidence that this will make your health and happiness increase too. If you exercise your dog for 30 minutes a day, you’re also getting your exercise in as well. The exercise doesn’t stop there either! If you have have a big dog you’ll need to walk it further and carry about heavy duty crates for dogs, clean your dog, groom it, and much more. You’ll constantly be on your feet, bending down, running round, and this amounts to quite the workout!
It’s also believed that dogs can be great for mental health too. Some studies suggest that owning a dog lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Some studies have even showed that owning a dog can help you get a better night's sleep and lower cholesterol.
Happiness
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In terms of happiness dogs can also help in this department. Dogs are a great way to make you get up and go, even on days you could be feeling a bit down. Pets need to be taken care of and given a routine and exercise. By looking after a dog in this way, you are making sure you have a routine, get exercise, and start to feel better. Those with depression often find their dogs are a great source of motivation to encourage them to get out into the world and take care of themselves.
Having a dog could also help to improve your social skills and life! Going on dog walks you’re likely to bump into fellow walkers or enthusiasts. Your dog is a great way to strike up conversation with others as you already have a similar interest.
Owning a dog could also reduce your stress levels. Petting with, playing with, and exercising your dog, even just in your back garden, are all a great way to destress after a busy day. You may see it as a bit of a chore on some days, but it will be helping you and your dog at the same time.