More Ways Your Dog Can Keep You Healthy

Being that this past weekend was Father’s Day, it got me thinking about my late father, whom I’m quite sure I will never stop missing. My father liked to say there were two kinds of people in the world: dog lovers and non-dog lovers. You can guess the ones he preferred to hang out with.

Though his view might have been a little black and white, the man never met a dog he didn’t like. And so, you can probably guess what else that meant: our house was never without a dog (or two). Are you a stray and need a place to crash? Come in! We’ll clean you up and feed you and most likely keep you if no one comes looking. That’s part of what made our house a home.

But I’ve also come to learn that owning a dog goes way beyond making a house more of a home. Sure, they’re cute and cuddly and are wonderful companions; they can even stand in for a friend (or sometimes are preferable to a real live one!).

The latest study on that very special dog/person relationship, published in Science, finds that the same chemical that is released shortly after childbirth, oxytocin (also known by such names as “the bliss hormone” and “the cuddle hormone”), is released when the eyes of a dog and human lock.

Oxytocin facilitates both childbirth and breastfeeding. It’s undeniably powerful stuff, also known to contribute to relaxation, trust and psychological stability. There’s a lot going on when you gaze into those irresistible puppy dog eyes.

And what’s even more interesting is that the hormone is not only secreted by humans, but by the dogs as well. I guess that fact shouldn’t be all that surprising, considering the fact that University of Chicago researchers found that several groups of genes in humans and dogs have been evolving in parallel for thousands of years, due most likely to their shared environment, they say. Those genes include those related to neurological processes, disease, diet and digestion.

First question:

Do you insist on taking the best care of your dog as you possibly can? You know, buying only organic dog food, the best dog insurance, and BPA free chew toys?

Yes? Good…now onto the next question: Do you often find yourself unmotivated to exercise?

Your pup may not be the shining beacon of all that is a healthy lifestyle: he eats leftovers, spends a majority of his day on the couch, and seems to enjoy all of the TV that you do. But owning a dog has a surprising number of health benefits.... Read More...