By Jason Croxford

Spending quality time with your dog has been proven to lower stress, anxiety, and depression.

Caring for your dog or for yourself is no small responsibility.  Making sure you’re both eating right, staying on top of regular vet visits and doctor check-ups, keeping up with grooming and other things can be both time consuming and a large undertaking for you, let alone your pup!  But did you know there are several things you can do to help care for your dog that keeps you healthy too? Keep reading for five ways to care for your pooch that are healthy for you, too!

Exercise

Exercising is an obvious answer but important nonetheless.  Getting out everything single day and increasing both heart rates is good for everyone involved and very important.  Aerobic exercise keeps Fido mentally stimulated, helps avoid behavioral issues, and helps keep him at a healthy weight.  Just like humans, animals should not carry extra fat or be too skinny. As for dog owners, regular exercise increases mood and energy levels and helps lowers major health risks, among many other benefits.

Socialize

Just like humans, it is important for dogs to have social interactions.  Get yourself and your pooch out to a dog park or on a doggy play date where you, the dog owner, can interact with other owners and your dog can interact with other dogs.  Socializing is a very healthy habit and helps overall growth and development for both you and Rex. If you’re ever feeling socially anxious, just remember you have a love of dogs in common with these people.  Use this to help keep the conversation going.

Play Around

We suppose playing around with your dog could be considered exercise, however, we’re giving it its own section.  Whether a dog is a puppy or an adult, they love to play. Because of the domestication of dogs, a dog is playful its entire life; it’s who they are, it’s hardwired into their DNA.  Playing with your pooch increases the bond you have with her and increase her bond to you. So, get down, chase each other around, play hide-and-seek, or whatever you like to play to increase your loving bond.

Vaccinate your Dog

Keeping up on your dog’s vaccinations (especially rabies) keeps you and your loved ones healthy and safe, too.  If your unvaccinated dog gets rabies, they are an immediate threat to anyone around the dog. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans.  Rabies can be fatal to humans if treatment is not quickly administered. The best way to safeguard yourself and those surrounding against this is to keep your pup up to date on vaccinations.

Show Some Love

Spending quality time with your dog has been proven to lower stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies have also proven that pet companionship, including dogs, helps improve your mood and outlook.  According to a survey done by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements due to pet ownership, and 75% of pet owners said a friend’s or family member’s mental health has improved because of pet ownership.  Dogs are a (hu)man’s best friend, so it’s no wonder that they give unconditional love and support. This is a mutual feeling and should be shown often. So snuggle up on the couch and soak in the love.