Skip to content

Top Navigation

Daily Paws Daily Paws
  • Dogs & Puppies
  • Cats & Kittens
  • Living with Pets
  • Pet News & Entertainment
  • Pet Gear & Apparel

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Help
Pin FB

Explore Daily Paws

Daily Paws Daily Paws
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Reasons Dog Training Makes Life Better

      5 Reasons Dog Training Makes Life Better

      Training your dog to follow basic commands builds a positive relationship with her and helps ensure her safety. These dog training tips will help you get started. Read More
    • Is Pet Insurance Really Worth the Cost?

      Is Pet Insurance Really Worth the Cost?

      Insurance for dogs, cats, and other household animals can run as low as $20 a month, but that cost can add up over time. Is the added expense worth the trouble to insure your beloved pet? Read More
    • 200+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty

      200+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty

      From classic to celeb-inspired and funny to food-based, this list of cute cat names is sure to inspire your naming adventures. Read More
  • Dogs & Puppies

    Dogs & Puppies

    See All Dogs & Puppies
    15 of the Smartest Dog Breeds

    15 of the Smartest Dog Breeds

    They may not be ready to beat you in a game of chess, but these brainy dogs are easy to train and generally anxious to please you. Here are 15 breeds with notable smarts.
    • Dog Breeds
    • Dog Names
    • Adopting a Dog
    • Dog Health Care
    • Common Dog Conditions & Treatments
    • Dog First Aid & Emergency Care
    • Senior Dog Needs
    • Puppy Health & Care
    • Dog Training
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition & Diet
    • What Can Dogs Eat
    • Dog Exercise & Play
    • Dog Safety Tips & Advice
    • Dog Grooming
    • Dog & Puppy Photo Galleries
  • Cats & Kittens

    Cats & Kittens

    See All Cats & Kittens
    Why Do Cats Purr?

    Why Do Cats Purr?

    Here’s what you need to know about why cats purr and what your cat may be telling you when her motor is running.
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Adopting a Cat
    • Cat Health Care
    • Common Cat Conditions & Treatments
    • Cat First Aid & Emergency Care
    • Kitten Health & Care
    • Senior Cat Needs
    • Cat Nutrition & Diet
    • Basic Cat Training
    • Cat Behavior
    • Cat Psychology
    • Cat Exercise & Play
    • Cat Safety Tips & Advice
    • Cat Grooming
    • Cat & Kitten Photo Galleries
  • Living with Pets

    Living with Pets

    See All Living with Pets
    Which Type of Dog Fence Is Right For Your Pet?

    Which Type of Dog Fence Is Right For Your Pet?

    A dog fence is an important detail to consider when adopting a pet for the first time or moving your dog to a new home.
    • Pet & Owner Relationships
    • Pet Compatibility
    • Your Pet's Veterinarian
    • Pet-Friendly Home
    • Pet Costs
    • Coronavirus & Pets
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Traveling with Pets
    • End-of-Life Pet Care
    • Pet Parent Playbook
    • What the Fluff?
    • DIY Project Ideas
  • Pet News & Entertainment

    Pet News & Entertainment

    See All Pet News & Entertainment
    We Can't Stop Scrolling Through 'UPS Dogs' Social Media Accounts

    We Can't Stop Scrolling Through 'UPS Dogs' Social Media Accounts

    The accounts have more than 1.7 million followers—and the photos are delightful.
    • Pet News
    • Adoption & Rescue Stories
    • Feel-Good Stories
    • Celebrities & Pets
    • Pet Businesses
    • Animal Advocacy
    • Unlikely Friendships
    • Hero Animals
    • Pet Food & Product Recalls
    • Dog Shows & Competitions
    • Zoo Animals
    • Wild Animals
  • Pet Gear & Apparel

    Pet Gear & Apparel

    See All Pet Gear & Apparel
    20 Gifts for Dog Lovers

    20 Gifts for Dog Lovers

    Get the dog moms and dads in your life something unique this year.
    • Dog Supplies
    • Dog Toys
    • Pet Cleaning Supplies
    • Pet Gifts
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Tech
    • Carriers & Travel Gear
    • Training & Behavior Products

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Help
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

LIVE
  1. HomeChevron Right
  2. Living with PetsChevron Right
  3. Pet & Owner RelationshipsChevron Right
  4. Top 15 Ways Puppies Improve Your Health

Top 15 Ways Puppies Improve Your Health

By Kate Zimmerman
Updated September 24, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin
brown puppy looking at camera
Credit: Jairo Alzate on Unsplash
Still on the fence about getting a new canine companion or simply want affirmation that your pup pal is the best? We've found 15 science-backed reasons that having a dog will make you a healthier human.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Get You Moving

cockerpoo puppy sitting on beach
Credit: Ryan Walton on Unsplash

A study published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health in 2011 found that dog owners are more likely to reach their fitness goals than those without canine companions. Researchers at Michigan State University found that dog owners are 34 percent more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking per week than non-dog owners.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

...And Keep You Going

cocker spaniel puppy
Credit: Réka T. on Unsplash

The same study from Michigan State found that owning a pet dog promotes health and fitness even after you take your pup for a stroll, increasing leisure-time physical activity by 69 percent.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Push You to the Next Level

husky puppy outside
Credit: Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash

A University of Missouri study found that walking with a puppy dog leads to a 28 percent increase in walking speed, compared to a 4 percent increase found with a human walking buddy.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Don't Accept Excuses

black pug puppy yawning
Credit: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

People who walk with dogs are more likely to stick to their fitness plans than those who walk with humans or alone, according to researchers at the University of Missouri.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Ease the Road to Recovery

two happy dogs running
Credit: Alvan Nee on Unsplash

Your furry friend is there for you in good times and bad. A study from the National Institutes of Health found dog owners had a better one-year survival rate following a heart attack than non-dog owners.

5 of 15

6 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Lower Your Risk of Diabetes

red golden retriever outside
Credit: Jamie Street on Unsplash

Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly have one-third the risk of diabetes than those who don't own and walk a dog, according to exercise scientist Cindy Lentino.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

It's Good for the Whole Family

australian shepherd running on beach
Credit: Joséphine Menge on Unsplash

A study from the University of Virginia found that teens from dog-owning families are more physically active than teens whose families don't own a pet dog, clocking an extra 15 minutes of exercise each week.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fewer Trips to the Doctor's Office

whippet puppy head tilt
Credit: Chris Arthur-Collins on Unsplash

Dog owners require 20 percent less medical care than non-dog owners, according to a UCLA study among the elderly.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Improve Your People Skills

corgi puppy sitting in woods
Credit: Alvan Nee on Unsplash

Researchers at Central Michigan University found that when a dog is present in a collaborative group setting, group members rank their teammates higher in terms of trust, team cohesion, and intimacy.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Provide Preventative Healthcare

black-and-white puppy on beach
Credit: Andrew Pons on Unsplash

Scientists from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine found that children from families with a history of allergies are less likely to develop eczema if they grow up with a pet dog starting at birth.

10 of 15

11 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Puppies May Replace Your Pain Meds

golden retriever puppy lying down
Credit: Bill Stephan on Unsplash

Patients recovering from joint replacement therapy who use animal-assisted therapy need 50 percent less pain medication, according to Loyola University researchers.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Boost Your Social Life

dog in snow
Credit: Bella Ella on Unsplash

It may seem counterintuitive, but being close with your pooch helps develop human relationships. Studies find that owning a dog, and particularly walking your dog, increases social interaction.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs are Good for Your Heart

brown puppy looking at camera
Credit: Jairo Alzate on Unsplash

Sure, being more active will obviously lead to improved blood pressure, but studies have found that the mere act of petting your puppy will decrease your blood pressure.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Teach Us to Love

husky puppy running woods
Credit: Cody Board on Unsplash

Child psychologist Robert Bierer of Albuquerque found that children who had experience caring for a dog had higher levels of empathy and self-esteem than children without pet dogs.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dogs Are Powerful Listeners

yellow labrador puppy
Credit: Berkay Gumustekin on Unsplash

Your pet pup could help your child learn to read. A study from the University of California, Davis found that kids who practice reading to a dog see a 12 percent improvement in reading skills over a 10-week period, compared to no improvement seen by kids who didn't read to a pup.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15 Dogs Get You Moving
    2 of 15 ...And Keep You Going
    3 of 15 Dogs Push You to the Next Level
    4 of 15 Dogs Don't Accept Excuses
    5 of 15 Dogs Ease the Road to Recovery
    6 of 15 Dogs Lower Your Risk of Diabetes
    7 of 15 It's Good for the Whole Family
    8 of 15 Fewer Trips to the Doctor's Office
    9 of 15 Dogs Improve Your People Skills
    10 of 15 Dogs Provide Preventative Healthcare
    11 of 15 Puppies May Replace Your Pain Meds
    12 of 15 Dogs Boost Your Social Life
    13 of 15 Dogs are Good for Your Heart
    14 of 15 Dogs Teach Us to Love
    15 of 15 Dogs Are Powerful Listeners

    Share options

    Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
    Daily Paws

    Proud Supporters Of

    Pedigree Foundation

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Help

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Other Meredith Sites

    Other Meredith Sites

    • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
    • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
    • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
    • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
    • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
    • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
    • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
    • Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
    • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
    • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
    • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
    • More this link opens in a new tab
    • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
    • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
    • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
    • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
    • Parents this link opens in a new tab
    • People this link opens in a new tab
    • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
    • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
    • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
    • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
    • Shape this link opens in a new tab
    • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
    • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
    • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
    • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
    MeredithDaily Paws is part of the Meredith National Digital Network. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.dailypaws.com

    View image

    Top 15 Ways Puppies Improve Your Health
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.