Are you worried about your health and fitness levels? 

Well, if you have a dog, you may not need to stress about it. 

Any dog owner will tell you that getting a canine best friend is the best thing they ever did.

They bring joy to your life, and whatever love you give them, they will give it back tenfold. Dogs are renowned for being the most loving pets you could ask for. 

All you must do is provide your pooch with a loving and stable home, and in return, you will receive unconditional love. How great is that?

But did you know that having a doggie can improve your health and fitness, and I don't just mean chasing your puppy through the park after it escaped its leash? 

Being a fur mom or fur dad makes you healthier, both physically and mentally. 

There truly is no end to the benefits of have a dog in your life. They have been shown to improve the quality of humans' lives through all age groups, from children to the elderly. 

So, let's look at some of the ways that being a dog owner is fantastic for your health. 

Walking

Taking your dog out for a walk is an excellent cardiovascular exercise. It is something anyone can do, and the more you do it, the better you will feel. You may not be very fit right now, but the more you walk, the better you get and the further you will be able to go. Dog walking is far more interesting than trudging away on a treadmill in a costly gym. 

Safety

Some people, especially the elderly, may not feel safe or comfortable going outside to exercise; having a dog can provide you with more confidence and protection for you to go out at night-time. This means you will be able to exercise more and stay active and mobile. Having a dog in the home has also been shown to help children be less anxious and have a greater security sense when their parents are not around. Young children have even been shown to sleep better and longer with a dog present in the room. Dogs can also have a calming effect on overactive or aggressive children. 

Social

Having a dog helps you get outside, which increases the chances of interactions with other humans. Someone is much more likely to stop to talk to you in the street, with your dog being the initial topic of conversation. Being a dog owner also helps you join communities like dog meets up groups, dog training days, or even just being a member of a breed-specific Facebook group can increase your connections in the real world. This may be especially important for people as they get older, as it is much harder to maintain more extensive social networks as you age. It is also believed that it enables children to build better relationships with people more comfortable and younger when they have grown up looking after a pet. 

Companionship

Dogs are traditionally packed animals, but so are humans to a degree. Humans are happier when they are loved, and they can give love. Dogs are excellent for this. They require being looked after, so they give their owner a sense of purpose. But they also return that love. There is nothing better than after a hard day's work, returning home and seeing that waggy tail waiting for you. You are only as old as you feel, is a well-known statement for a reason… because it is true. Having a life full of fresh air, sunshine, exercise, playing, fun, and laughter enriches your life and keeps you feeling young and full of positive energy. 

Health issues

So far, in the article, I have provided you with the general ways in which owning a dog can help your life. However, what is impressive is that these general things can have huge impacts in all areas of your life, both physically and mentally. This can result in living longer, living happier, and having less risk of certain diseases. How awesome is that!

Let's have a look at just a few of the issues having a dog can help with:

• Alzheimer's: Dogs have been shown to reduce stress, anxiousness and reduce aggressive outbursts caused by frustration. 
• Allergies: People with pets tend to suffer from allergies less than other people. This is down to you being exposed to more mild doses of allergens, bacteria, and dirt. Studies show that infants who grew up with pets were less likely to suffer from hayfever and asthma. 
• Blood Pressure: People spending just a short amount of time per day petting a dog has resulted in people decreasing their blood pressure long term. Some studies have even resulted in people having their blood pressure medication for their hypertension. 
• Depression: People with dogs are less likely to be depressed and more likely to have higher self-esteem and mental well being
• Heart Disease: People with dogs have been shown to have lower triglyceride levels than people without. This is especially noticeable in men. High triglyceride levels are a marker for heart disease. 
• Mood: Even being in a room with a dog for a short amount of time has been shown to increase mood-boosting chemicals in the brain such as Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Beta-endorphins. 
• Pain: Simple activities related to owning a dog have been shown to help with chronic pain and inflammation. Not only do things like petting dogs release mood-boosting and pain relief chemicals, but the simple activities in a dog owners' schedule help keep you active, healthy, and mobile. 
• Stress: Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and owning a pet has been shown to reduce cortisol spikes, which means you will have more control over your mood and be less likely to suffer from anxiousness and depression. 

These are just scratching the surface of all the possible benefits of owning a dog, but hopefully, they give you an idea of the potential benefits for you.

Yes, there are responsibilities to being a responsible dog owner, and you will have to make some sacrifices to your previous lifestyle. 

However, owning a dog brings so many positives to your life that it is worth it. 

If you embrace owning a dog, you will be so much better off in all aspects of your health and fitness. 

Be happy.