Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

Having pets can make a difference in your life and overall well-being. I don’t know about you, but when I get home, I feel like a rock star. My dog is so happy to see me, she brings me “gifts,” jumps all over the place, and runs throughout the house. I love it, it makes me feel happy after a long hard day at work, spending minutes petting her as she lays next or on me relaxes me. But there are other benefits that keep us non-furry animals healthy. HuffPost listed a few health benefits that you didn’t think of. So hit up your local animal shelter and adopt one.

Health Benefits of Dogs

Dogs can make your heart stronger. They can lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, and decreased triglyceride levels. This can contribute to the better overall cardiovascular health and fewer heart attacks.

They keep you active. It’s recommended that adults should get about 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise a week. And dog owners are more likely to meet that recommendation. “People love to be outside to walk their dog, and be with their dog,” says Kay Joubert, Director Companion Animal Services at PAWS, a Washington-based animal advocacy organization. “It helps them be more active.” In older adults, they can experience lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits, and more frequent moderate and vigorous exercise” according to a study in the journal Gerontologist.

Losing a few pounds doesn’t hurt either, this can benefit both you and your dog. It makes it easier as dogs keep you at a moderate pace. It’s possible to lose up to 14.4 pounds in a year. Dogs will also see walks as “fun” rather than exercise as well, unlike us, so they’ll keep us going.  

People who get out with their pets are more likely to experience an improvement in their social interaction with others. Researchers have found that about 40 percent make friends more easily, possibly because of the vast majority—4 in 5, according to one British study—speak with other dog owners during walks.

Dogs and cats can lower children’s chance of becoming allergic to pets. They can also develop stronger immune systems. Back in the 90’s, experts thought pet caused allergies in young children. Probably why a lot of my friends didn’t have any type of pet. Dogs have also been trained to detect diseases and cancers; service dogs have contributed to saving their owners life by alerting them before having a seizer.

Special Place

Our pets hold a special place in our hearts and lives. They bring us meaning, purpose, and comfort. At Diamonds in the Ruff, you can trust that you special friend will be in good hands. If you don’t want to leave your pet home alone for hours while at work, we offer doggie daycare in a facility that your pet will be comfortable in and with a staff that will treat them like their own. If you're in need of pet boarding in Abilene, contact us or visit our website at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com today.

Pet Massages

Pet Massages

Iheartdos.com- Everyone loves a massage, even the simplest hand massage feels good, and we benefit from it mentally and physically. But what about our furry friends? Yes, our furry family member can experience the same benefits as we do anywhere from relieving pain, stress, and calming nerves. There is also the added bond you strengthen between both of you. Rubi Sullivan, CSAMP (certified small animal massage practitioner) says that “massage is a gentle and non-invasive therapy that is a great way to maintain your dog’s health and well-being, as well as regular veterinary visits.”

Overall Benefits for Your Pooch

Rubi lists a few ways messages help your dog:

• Reduces anxiety
• Shortens healing time of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
• Aids in digestion
• Reduces pain and swelling (including intervertebral, joint and muscle)
• Decreases blood pressure
• Strengthens the immune system
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
• Provides greater joint flexibility and increases range of motion
• Improves proprioception (the outside information feedback mechanism in the animal’s body that helps with movement and balance)
• Stimulates liver and kidney functions
• Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymphatic fluids
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing
• Enhances the health and nourishment of the skin and coat

Everything listed is perfect for dogs of any age and breed. Just like human athletes, messages before or after exercise especially for those in agility competitions. It can help reduce stiffness and fatigue after exercise by increasing circulation and flushing waste products from the muscle tissue. In older dogs, a message before a walk can relieve stiffness, just be sure to watch your pet for any signs of discomfort. A massage is an excellent tool for nervous or anxious dogs, and in the same way, you can calm a hyper puppy or reactive dog. A good place to start and have a calming effect with your pet is the chest, then over the sacrum and where the head and neck connect. According to Sullivan, the parasympathetic nervous system is directly correlated to the cranial and sacral areas. Which is why a message will have a calming effect.

Abilene Pet Boarding and Grooming

Our staff at Diamonds in the Ruff take great pride in treating and caring for your pet in the best way possible. If you are looking for professional pet boarding in Abilene, stop by and see us or you can visit our website at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com.

Changing a Leash Puller

Everyone knows that walking your dog has health benefits you and your furry companion can enjoy. Fresh air and nature, socializing with other dogs and people, and exercise can relieve stress after a hard day, and your pooch will love it after being cooped up for hours. But if your dog is anything like mine, they can be hard to walk without them pulling on the leash, which is not relaxing for both of you or those around you. PetMD has a few tips to help you improve your leash walking skills, keeping your dog from hurting himself and you, becoming tied 'round trees, or tangled up with the friendly neighbor dog who’s also out for an afternoon stroll. “From a relationship perspective,” explains Sarah Fraser, a certified professional dog trainer and co-founder of Instinct Behavior & Training in New York City, “if your dog is walking nicely on a leash, it likely means that your dog is paying more attention to you, making it easier for you to provide direction and guidance as needed along your walk.”

Tips to Becoming a Leash Whisperer

Attitude is a big thing. Your dog can sense your emotions and react to it. Rather than getting frustrated with your dog pulling and focusing on that, try to teach your dog how to walk nicely beside you. It’s going to be hard, I’ve watched my husband restrain himself from getting upset with our dog, Inara. And it’s going to take time.

Rewards are dog's best friend. Try rewarding your dog when they pay attention to you and for being in the desired position (next to you or close to you) when out for a walk. “As the dog learns that walking next to you is a pleasant, rewarding experience, she’ll spend less time pulling and more time walking nicely beside you,” says Fraser. Try using very special treats in the beginning, like small pieces of boiled chicken or roast beef, to really get your dog’s attention, she advises. And reward them often and be consistent. Over time the reinforcement will become less needed over time.

Fraser says to play the “follow me” game. She says to take a few steps back and allow your dog to follow you while saying  “yes!” as your dog approaches you. Your dog will focus and move with you while being rewarded. It’s possible that additional assistance might be needed. Consider buying a front clip harness or working with a certified trainer. Just remember it’s going to take time, patience, and practice from both of you.

Abilene Doggie Daycare

We love our pets and want the best for them. Another thing to consider is doggie daycare. Diamonds in the Ruff offers boarding and daycare that include lots of socialization with other friendly dogs. If you’re looking for pet boarding in Abilene, contact us today or visit our website at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com to see all that we have to offer.