How your dog is helping your health
If you're a dog owner, you'll know there's no better personal trainer than a four-legged friend. Dogs love routine and won't let you off the hook until they've taken you on their walk for the day. Having a chat with other dog owners also means that dogs help add a social side to your physical activity.
Dogs help all of us to increase our walking and here at the Heart Foundation we see them as part of the big picture when it comes to heart health.
Dogs can help improve your mental health
Did you know that people who experience depression, are socially isolated, or do not have good social support have a higher chance of developing heart disease?
Depression can also be common in patients with heart disease.
Heart Foundation resource 'Depression in patients with coronary heart disease' reports 15% percent of patients experiencing heart attack or heart surgery (bypass) will have a major depressive disorder. When you also consider milder forms of depression, this figure increases to 40%. Your close friends and family will be an important support at this time, but pets may also have a role to play - that’s where dogs come in.
If you’re concerned about your mental health, it is important to speak with your doctor and get help with managing emotional stress.
Dogs can help reduce stress and blood pressure
Did you know ongoing stress can increase your risk of developing heart disease?
Studies have shown that walking with your dog can have a calming effect and can help reduce the physical signs of stress, including lowering your blood pressure.
A 2017 study of more than three million people in Sweden, aged between 40 and 80, showed that owning a dog could be linked to a lower risk of developing heart disease. The study tracked the health of dog owners for 12 years and found that, among people who lived alone, having a dog may decrease their risk of cardiovascular-related death by 36%. The chances of having a heart attack were 11% lower.
It’s important to note the limitations of this study. The researchers could not identify how or why the ownership of a dog led to positive health outcomes and could not rule out other factors that may have contributed to the study’s findings.
Take your dog for a walk today or encourage your friends and family to join dog-friendly walking group.
Walking is good for dog's health too
West Australialian Veterinary, Dr Eben Martin shared his thoughts with us on the benefits of walking with dogs.
"Keeping dogs at a healthy weight and active is good for their heart and lungs. Staying in good body condition can help reduce breathing problems, and while dogs don’t usually get heart disease like humans do, their hearts are still healthier when they exercise regularly and live an active lifestyle.
Just as keeping fit and healthy is important for us, it is just as important for our dogs to be exercised to ensure that they stay fit and healthy as well. Not only does walking your dog provide you with some great quality time with your best mate, but it is also a great way to keep both you, and your dog in shape.
Keeping dogs fit with regular exercise has many of the same benefits that is does for humans. Maintaining a healthy weight for your pet reduces the onset of problems such as osteoarthritis, by reducing the strain on the joints and also ensuring that the cartilage in the joints remains well-nourished and healthy. Osteoarthritis is a major problem in dogs, especially as they age, and weight control has a significant positive impact on management of the disease.
We also know that there are a number of internal diseases such as diabetes mellitus and liver disease which can occur secondary to an unhealthy lifestyle in dogs.
But perhaps one of the most important benefits of getting out and walking the dog is the happiness and joy that it brings to both pet and owner. We all know that laughter and smiles are the best medicine, and pets provide one of the best ways to enjoy a happy lifestyle. The bond between ourselves and our pets and the unconditional love that they provide to us is something very special that should be treasured.
So, I encourage you to grab the lead and take your best mate out into the sunshine for a walk. You could even join a dog friendly Heart Foundation Walking group and enjoy the company of other dog owners, and of course their four-legged friends also!”
Dr Eben Martin, BVSc MANZCVS (ECC & SAS)
Small Animal Surgical Resident
Western Australian Veterinary Emergency & Specialty
Dog friendly walking groups
The Burnside Walking Group get together weekly, every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9.30am in the name of health, fitness, fun and fur-friends!! Deb Howard established the group in 2010 and was the Walk Organiser for 7 years before handing over the reins to Chris Nettle. She started the group as a way of regularly exercising her dog (at the time), Snowie, and now regularly walks in the group with Rosie (Scottish Terrier, pictured below).
We caught up with Deb on the walk and here’s what she had to say:
Why do you enjoy walking with your dog/s?
It is important to exercise every day and having a dog ensures that you go for a daily walk. Plus it's important to socialise your dog outside of it’s home environment.
Does your dog inspire you to walk more?
What do you enjoy about walking your dog in a Heart Foundation Walking group?
My dog loves all the attention that she gets from the group. She also is a better walker than when it’s just me. It’s like she’s in a big pack.
Have you or anyone close to you been affected by heart disease?
Yes, my Dad had heart disease. He would go for long walks with our dog as it helped with not only his exercise but to de-stress!
There are currently 198 participants in the Burnside Walking Group. The walking route regularly changes, exploring different reserves and tracks throughout the leafy Burnside area.
