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Adopting a dog has many benefits. If you rehome a dog that’s perhaps spent some time in a shelter, your kind gesture will be life-changing for the animal involved.

But not only will adopting a dog be beneficial to the canine in question, there are many ways that it will be beneficial to you as well.

Taking on a dog is a big responsibility, but it can really enhance your life in more ways than one. So, how can adopting a dog help to improve your current lifestyle?

Dogs Can Encourage a More Active Lifestyle

Adopting a dog can encourage you to lead a more active life. We all know the dangers of leading a sedentary lifestyle. From heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, the price you pay for being immobile for hours at a time is not pleasant.

The World Health Organisation recommends that adults should get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the time or willpower to join a gym or a fitness class. Even the prospect of going for a walk can seem daunting if you’ve been working all day and you just want to put your feet up and relax.

If you have a dog, however, you don’t have that option – you have to take it for a walk at least once a day. Adopting a dog is a great motivation to get yourself fit as it will encourage you to take regular walks in the fresh air. In fact, studies show that dog owners spend approximately 200 more minutes of walking each week than people without dogs.

Dog Owners Report Lower Levels of Loneliness

Loneliness can happen to anyone. Post-pandemic, more and more of us are working from home and therefore have much less daily social interactions. Lack of social interaction can be extremely detrimental to health, with loneliness and isolation associated with a risk of mental illness. Adopting a dog can help you to combat loneliness in a number of ways.

Research has found that new dog owners report lower levels of loneliness within three months of getting a dog, with the effect persisting over time. Dogs make wonderful pets, providing loyal companionship and affection for many years. Many people talk to their pets, seeing them as a member of the family, which can help to reduce feelings of isolation. The need for walking a dog will also get you out and about and might help you to meet new people; as will enrolling your pup in training classes.

Positive Impact on Mental Wellbeing

The companionship of a dog could be good for your mental health. Studies show that owning a pet can ease depression and anxiety. Furthermore, adopting a dog will encourage you to create more structure to your life. Your pet will need to be fed and walked at regular times, therefore you’ll quickly add a routine to your days.

But while your pet is benefiting your health, you need to make sure you’re keeping on top of their health too. Not only should your dog be registered with a vet, it should be getting annual check-ups to make sure it stays in the best health. Vet bills are often costly though, so it’s definitely wise to get pet insurance. Petsure offers cover for up to £15,000 and also accounts for pre-exiting conditions.

Another way in which adopting a dog could benefit your mental health is the sense of fulfilment it’ll give you. Being responsible for another life other than your own will give you a sense of purpose. This will be even more so if you’ve adopted the dog from a rescue shelter. There’s a chance that the dog might have been neglected or mistreated and so by offering them a loving home, you will be making a huge difference to them. This can feel very rewarding.

Adopting a dog can improve your current lifestyle in many ways. Not only will owning a dog encourage you to get out and about and increase your physical activity, it can help reduce loneliness and boost your mental wellbeing.

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