Did you know that owning a dog may be better for your health than owning a cat?
By shywolf
@shywolf (4514)
United States
January 24, 2007 7:12pm CST
According to one study, dog owners tend to have lower cholesterol and pressure. This may be due to the fact of owners walking their dogs. (and not many cat owners are able to do the same! *laugh*) It's also been said that dogs can aid in the recovery after a heart attack, as well as give early warning of seizures. (I've seen the latter on television, dogs that warned their owners of seizures. It's amazing what animals can sense that we humans cannot!)
Do you feel healthier for owning your dog?
You can read more here:
http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1011340
9 people like this
49 responses
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
25 Jan 07
I never thought of that, but you know that does make sense. I have three cats and one dog. Yes cats are the lazy man's animals for sure, LOL. The most I do for them is feeding and petting. The dog how ever, needs her walks, her baths and to be played with daily. She is a bit more of a pleasure to have around as far as interaction than the cats. The cats are cool when you just need something to set still and love on.
@babykay (2131)
• Ireland
26 Jan 07
I think that having pets must be good for your health. Especially healthy happy interactive pets that are part of the family. I have read that having cats is good for your health as when you stroke them your blood pressure goes down and I think it is the same for dogs. The added benefit with dogs is that they make you exercise too...but cats add a certain tranquility that dogs lack in my opinion!
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I use to own a dog. I felt the same. Can't say I felt healthier.
And yeah, most dogs do sense when something is wrong and will try hard to warn the owner, but so can a cat or any other pet.
We just hear more about dogs, but there has been cases that a cat and even a bird has showed signs of trying to help an owner out.
Animals are something else for sure..
@cpamanda (693)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I have a dog and I believe the dog can help with early warning and to make people happier. Unconditional love is an amazing thing. But, I also think it depends on the person. I also have a rabbit and I love spending time with her and she makes me feel good, but I could never walk her. I have tried once or twice. I think any pet can give you companionship and reduce your stress. It just depends on the person and their needs. Thanks for a wonderful discussion!
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I believe any pet can lower blood pressure because they give us a living breathing litening thing to help reduce stress. I love my dog and my cat.
They are part of our family. When my head is hurting really bad, a 10, my simease cat will curly up around my head and kneed it. weird but it happens every time. When I am sick, She wont leave my side except to go to litter box or eat.
@Tweety2035 (662)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I have heard that before and it's true.Dogs can aid in health more any other animal that I know of.From all over the world there are a different breeds that do differnt things and it is so amazing.
@volcanoman (145)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I really think it has alot to do with the fact that people take their dogs for walks and running. Plus the fact that most dogs require some sort of playtime also. Cats would rather lay on your lap or next to you to be pet. Although having any pet is more beneficial than none at all.
@faylinn_chaeli (1619)
• Philippines
26 Jan 07
We have a dog and a cat at home. I cannot say that dogs are better because as I see it, cats are really sweet and they also relieves stress everytime they come near you and starting to play with you. I think the problem is in our dog, we don't walk it ouside because it won't go anywhere.
@Geminigirl (1909)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I don't own a dog, but I do have several cats. I don't doubt that the findings on the dog thing is true. I think owning pets has a myriad of benefits, no matter the pet. Any article that can encourage more people to have pets is a good one! I love dogs!
@elixer (253)
• India
25 Jan 07
yes i have read in a newpaper that
dog owners tend to have less heart problems because when u talk dogs
for walking, owners also walk along
with it which leads to less
cholestrol and pressure.
besides loosing fats, u have such
a loving pet to spend your time.
@fuuhoouji (67)
• Philippines
26 Jan 07
Youre right! Except for the exercise that dogs can do for you other than cats can, my dad really didnt want us to have cats when we were still kids because their fur is bad for the health. If youre weak, youll have asthma.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Absolutely...I walk 2-4 miles a day because of my dogs, I don't think a day has gone by that they have not made me smile and/or laugh.
I never understand how people can say they don't like dogs.
@rainbow (6761)
•
25 Jan 07
I love my dog more than anything, she's a constant companion and makes me go out in the fresh air because she needs to be walked.
My cat disturbs my asthma sometimes but is still a lovable cute kitty. I think dogs are very healthy to have around and cannot imagine being without her.
@Mamaof2 (574)
• Canada
25 Jan 07
My friend also told me that Dogs can detect and sense if someone has cancer ???? Not sure if this is true...but she totally believes it. She saw some program on this issue and then just lost her Grandfather to Cancer...so I guess personal experiece makes her believe as well.... Not sure if I believe...but they are some pretty smart animals..so who knows...
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Ha, ha I have 2 dogs and one cat. And yes I am very healthy.
It is not only about walking, but also sharing a little joy.
Great topic:)
@pebbles724 (642)
• United States
25 Jan 07
That is interesting to know. But it makes sense, the part about walking. People who own cats do not have to walk them. But dog owners do have to walk their pets, and walking is defintely good exercise. And yes, I saw that once on TV how dogs can sense when their owners are sick. I saw how dogs can actually smell cancer! That is amazing.
@bimasakti (43)
• Indonesia
25 Jan 07
For health owning dog much better than cat! I live with dog all my life, now I have 4 American Pittbull and 6 Great Dane. I never had a cat before because I just don't like those animal, I think if we owning cat we should much dilligences, about her downing feathers, and that was very important about downing feathers.
@moonmage (148)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Well, cats have therapeutic qualities as well but any exercise is going to improve your heart health. It is true that you're not going to be able to walk a cat or play with them as actively as you can with dogs. I think anyone who has a pet of any kind receives some kind of benefit from it. If findings like this get more people to adopt dogs from shelters then I am all for it.
