A dog companion offers a slew of advantages to any dog parent, from providing endless cuddles to being a devoted partner in crime. Dogs have long been recognized as excellent friends for people, but recent research indicates that dogs are assisting us in more ways than simply offering love and friendship. Here are some health benefits for dog owners.

According to a new study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, dog owners who live alone benefit from owning canines more than most people.

In recent research, dog ownership was linked to improved survival rates and lower mortality in people after a heart attack. This led to the conclusion that dog ownership may improve the health of people who are single, live alone, or have a disability. According to one research, dog owners obtain these additional healthcare advantages in comparison to non-dog owners:

• People who live alone following a hospitalization have a 33 percent decreased chance of dying from a heart attack.
• A 15% decreased chance of dying from a heart attack in people who live with a spouse or child
• There was a 27% decreased risk of death in stroke patients who lived alone after hospitalization.
• A 12% decreased risk of mortality in stroke survivors who live with a spouse or child

The study used the Swedish National Patient Register to identify individuals who had an acute myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2012. They examined sociodemographic data, dog ownership statistics, and death causes, as well as relevant information.

Professor Tove Fall, one of the study’s co-authors and a molecular epidemiologist at Uppsala University in Sweden, says that dog ownership can provide pet parents the push to get up and go, which helps dogs to obtain the exercise they require to stay healthy.

By performing this activity, pet owners are able to avoid the sedentary lifestyle, which has been shown in studies to lead to mortality. The other benefits of dog walking are that it may help you be more active and reduce feelings of isolation. The company of dogs, according to Fall, can also assist with the feelings of loneliness that can lead to a sedentary lifestyle.

In a meta-analysis, researchers combined data from 10 separate studies and evaluated patient information for over 3.8 million individuals. They discovered that, when compared to non-dog owners, dog owners had:

• 24% reduced risk of all-cause mortality
• 65% reduced risk of mortality after a heart attack
• 31% reduced risk of mortality from cardiovascular-related issues

However, while these research do suggest a relationship between dog ownership and human health, they don’t prove causation or a direct link.

Nonetheless, according to Dr. Haider Warraich, director of the heart failure program at the Boston VA Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School instructor and author of “State of the Heart: Exploring the History, Science and Future of Heart Disease,” while these research are “interesting and provocative,” he says that “it’s not enough for me to say: ‘Hey, get a dog and you’ll live forever.’”

A pet can be an important source of social support, particularly for those who may not have access to human social interaction. Dogs can provide this benefit through companionship and unconditional love. This type of relationship is referred to as “bi-directional.”

The emotional support that we receive from pets is one aspect of the relationship. When we must undergo a medical procedure or difficult time, such as losing a loved one or experiencing heart problems ourselves, our pets may sense our stress and either cuddle up to us or leave the room entirely. They can also help reduce blood pressure and heart rate during periods of stress.

Don’t be afraid if you don’t like dogs; experts say that you can begin with any pet, even fish or tiny animals. Even though it may sound odd, even those sorts of pets might be beneficial. In reality, a previous research revealed that looking after crickets made individuals healthier.

So, at the end of the day, it appears that having a buddy—whether canine, feline, enormous or little—has health advantages. And if you want to help them too, then check out CBD for dogs.