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Can a dog help maintain health and fitness?

Homepage Articles Can a dog help maintain health and fitness?

Can a dog help maintain health and fitness?

However, not everyone knows that owning a dog can also bring many benefits in terms of maintaining physical and mental health. Many people believe that a dog is man's best and most loyal friend. How does a dog affect the health and physical fitness of its owner?

Table of Contents

1. The benefits of having a dog

Odendaal, R.A. Numerous scientific studies also confirm that owning a dog has many positive health benefits, including reducing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. The study involved 376 men and 185 women. It also impacts on lowering blood pressure and lowering cholesterol (i.e. How can having a dog affect your cardiology? As is commonly known, movement has a positive effect on your cardiological health. It's also worth noting that walking with a dog can be a very good opportunity to gain new levels of exercise. It has been shown that while you're in contact with a horse, it can increase your body's cholesterol levels, and it's a good time to exercise.

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Source

Cutt H. et al., Understanding dog owners’ increased levels of physical activity: results from RESIDE, „American Journal of Public Health” 2008, 98(1), 66–69.
Odendaal J.S.J., Meintjes R.A., Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs, „The Veterinary Journal” 2003, 165(3), 296–301.
Salmon J. et al., Dog ownership, dog walking, and children's and parents' physical activity, „Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport” 2010, 81(3), 264–271.
Xie Z.Y. et al., Association between pet ownership and coronary artery disease in a Chinese population, „Medicine” 2017, 96(13), epub.