What Benefits Does Petting Our Dog Have?

If we ask every owner, they'd surely be able to give a more or less extensive list of the benefits they've experienced from living with their dog. And although these might seem subjective, they've been proven not to be.

There are scientific studies that, even when designed to disprove their existence, have had no choice but to accept the evidence: dogs are beneficial for their owners on a physical, psychological, and social level.

Tips for Properly Petting a Dog

This might seem obvious, but generally, stick to petting your own dog or dogs you know. Unfamiliar animals, unless they specifically approach you in a friendly manner, should be left to go about their way.

As for petting, dogs' favorite spots are the head, between the ears, and the chest. The back, running your hand flat along the spine, is another option they find pleasant. That said, stop if you notice the dog is restless, wants to leave, or shows any sign of discomfort.

On the other hand, avoid handling the ears, whiskers, paws, or belly. These are sensitive areas not every dog likes being touched. Either way, always pet it with gentle, careful movements. Save rougher touches for the more active moments of play.

Health Benefits of Petting a Dog

First, the pets you give your dog are, of course, also beneficial for it. On the other hand, if you touch an unfamiliar dog, instead of providing wellbeing, you're stressing it out. That makes sense, since it doesn't know you.

Besides the benefits for the dog, we, its caretakers, also get important advantages from this physical contact, regardless of our characteristics or life circumstances. Look at these interesting facts:

• Lower blood pressure and heart rate. A 3-4% reduction in the risk of dying from a heart attack has been calculated.
• Improved immune system, resulting in fewer health issues and up to an 8% reduction in doctor visits.
• Prevention of allergies by allowing "controlled" contact with pathogens. It seems contradictory, but overly clean environments end up causing the immune system to overreact to substances that aren't inherently dangerous to our health. That's an allergy.
• Reduced sedentary lifestyle and increased activity from having to go outside for walks, bringing all the benefits associated with exercise.
• Up to a 13% reduction in triglycerides and even 2% in cholesterol compared to data from people without pets.

Psychological Benefits of Petting Your Dog

Studies have also shown that close cohabitation with dogs brings interesting psychological benefits for people. All the data gathered so far points to an improvement in general psychological state, and specifically:

• Reduced stress and anxiety by lowering secretion of the hormone cortisol.
• Release of endorphins.
• Lower risk of depression.
• Increased self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Improved sense of responsibility in people of any age.

The Benefits of Canine Therapists

Contact with dogs brings such important benefits that more and more companies are allowing employees to bring their dog to work. This measure improves employee satisfaction and, as a result, boosts productivity. Social-level benefits reported include the following:

• Increased interaction with other people thanks to walks, but also dog parks, online forums about these animals, vet visits, or buying food or accessories at different stores. It's easier to strike up conversations with strangers when dogs are involved.
• Eases loneliness.
• The benefits of animal-assisted therapy are well known, helping people of different ages and conditions both physically and psychologically.

Benefits of Dogs According to Science

Studies conducted in the United Kingdom have found that people who've suffered a heart attack have a better chance of surviving a year later than people in the same situation who don't live with dogs. This and other studies have been conducted for decades, some aimed at disproving dogs' benefits.

In a huge Australian study with over 5,000 people, researchers wanted to show that living with dogs wasn't linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. They couldn't, even though they tried, and despite the fact that people with pets consumed more processed food, more meat, and more alcohol.

Also, a Cambridge survey assessed the frequency of minor health issues, like headaches, back pain, colds, or digestive disorders, in dog owners. It found that one month after the dog arrived home, these issues decreased. A year later, the positive effect remained.

Bibliography Fogle, Bruce. 1999. Dogs Talk About Their Owners. Madrid: Ateles Editores.