Swedish scientists have found that dog owners by 25%
less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases or other causes.
Scientists estimated the data of 3.4 million people. Research was
published in the journal “Scientific Reports”.
Contents
What is the secret of dog owners?
Dog owners often walk down the street – one of the possible reasons
positive effect. However, pets also help.
lonely people better tolerate social isolation. Often people
meet other dog owners on the street, which contributes
communication.
Social isolation and lack of exercise –
important risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Owning a dog has significant health benefits.
as obliges to move.
The study was made possible because in Sweden all owners
Dogs must register animals since 2001. They
identified by a special number.
In dog registries, dog owners appeared less frequently or later than
ordinary people. In general, dog owners had a lower risk.
deaths and less often were hospitalized with cardiovascular
diseases. The effect was especially pronounced in households with
by one person.
The dog can reduce the risk of death and cardiovascular
diseases by about 1/3.
In multi-person households, the dog has less
impact on the person. Interestingly, the effect depended on the breed.
dogs
What breeds have the greatest effect?
Animals bred for hunting (terriers, retrievers,
German shepherds), showed better results than domestic
dogs.
When mixed rocks preventive effect was not identified.
This may have social reasons, because buying these
animals are cheaper. They также чаще содержатся в социально
vulnerable layers where the risk of cardiovascular disease is higher.
In epidemiological studies, a causal relationship
cannot be proved. Nevertheless, it seems plausible.
However, it is also clear that not all owners walk with the dogs along the street.
Therefore, not all people benefit from pets.
Do dogs help even older people?
A sense of need and work is an incentive for the elderly
people. Pet care can satisfy this
need and promote a longer and healthier life.
Since social contacts in old age often
are declining, and older people are being isolated, animals are
positive social effect.
The study showed that any breed of dog in the house
elderly affects patients with dementia. If they spend
more time with a pet, become more
calm.
Are bacteria and parasites good?
Dogs carry all sorts of microbes and bacteria into the house – and
it’s good.
Especially children benefit from family members: their immune
the system is strengthened by bacteria and parasites home
an animal.
Result: children who grew up with a dog have a lower risk.
get sick with allergies in subsequent years. Also from a cold, cough or
ear infections children from “dog families” suffer less frequently.
Dogs stimulate the release of “hormones of happiness”
After a fifteen-minute game with the dog, the body releases
more substances that improve mood – dopamine and serotonin. When
a person embraces an animal, oxytocin is released, which
stimulates trusting relationships. Dog owners who
are stressed, recover much faster than those
who do not have pets.
Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with a lack of
social contacts. And even with dementia, there is a suspicion that
loneliness contributes to this.
Dog owners are rarely alone. And through
dog they also find contact with other people – on dog
a meadow, while walking or in the veterinarian reception.
2 out of 3 dog owners even make romance
с помощью dogs.
The most obvious positive effect for
health is an increase in physical activity of the owners
dogs Scientists emphasize that this may be the opposite: people
who are very active in principle can also choose such
dogs
