❯Health
How our four-legged friends can make us happier – and healthier
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Welcoming a pet into your life can bring a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits,’ says Bill Lambert, The Kennel Club’s health, welfare and breederser vices executive. ‘Through thick and thin, four-legged friends provide love, loyalty, and companionship without any judgment, they can get us active and moving, and they can help their owners socially, too.’
Here, Bill shares the ways in which our pets positively impact our physical and mental health…
Unconditional companionship
Pets can give you a sense of security and someone to share the day with, and so help beat loneliness and feelings of isolation — which has been shown to be detrimental to our health and linked to an increased risk of hear t disease and stroke, and identified as a risk factor for depression in later life. Although many pets can fulfil this companion role, dogs are famously good at it. ‘We have long enjoyed a strong bond with our canine companions and according to research from The Kennel Club, two in three owners say their dog is their best friend,’ adds Bill. ‘There are clear well-being benefits to this companionship — 95 per cent find their dog improves their mental health and nearly half agree their dog helps them feel calmer and less lonely. Dogs possess a nonjudgemental and unwavering loyalty that can make them perhaps the most reliable of friends.’
Providing purpose
Caring for a pet can also add structure to your day. Feeding, exercising and caring for it can help you to keep to a daily routine and so feel more grounded and focused.
‘Pets can help to give purpose,’ says Bill. ‘They rely on us for food, exercise and love. They get us up and out, and provide our days with structure, and can even improve our social lives. For example, dog owners make connections out on walks, or attending training or activity clubs. For those who are shy or introver ted, a cheerful wagging tail by your side makes for a conversation star ter when coming across new people in day-to-day life.’
Up and active
‘In addition to helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, and loneliness, there are all the rewards that come from regularly exercising your dog,’ says Bill. ‘Daily walks boost physical and emotional wellbeing, and there are recognised benefits for our mental health of being out in green space. More than two in five owners agree that dog walking improves their mood and nearly two-thirds say their dog helps them become fitter and healthier.
