There are many reasons why you should consider getting a dog. Aside from the fact that there are thousands of dogs out there in need of loving homes, getting a dog could also greatly benefit your life in many ways.
You might be wondering if you should get a dog, but it’s a big commitment, so you may also feel a bit unsure. If you’re on the fence, you’ve come to the right place, because this post will be discussing seven reasons why you should get a dog this year. Hopefully, this will help you decide if it’s the right move for you or not/
It will teach you responsibility
If you feel like you’ve been meandering through life without a purpose, you may need something to give you a wake-up call, and a dog could be just the thing. When you have a dog, you are responsible for another living creature.
You need to ensure that they are taken care of, that they are healthy, and that they get the attention and stimulation they need. Owning a pet is a great way of forcing yourself to be more responsible. You will need to ensure that they get their vaccinations and also that they get chipped and sterilized when they are old enough. You will need to make sure that they have their basic needs met as well. They will need food, water, and shelter. Consider looking at monthly dog food options to make life more convenient for you.
It can improve your health
It may sound far-fetched, but it’s true: owning a dog can improve your health. Dogs have been shown to significantly improve people’s mental health, and of course, there are also dogs who have been trained to assist people with health issues.
Aside from that, you will need to make sure that your dog is healthy and fit. The best ways of doing this are to walk your dog or play with them – both of which will also force you to get out of the house and get moving for a bit.
You will have company
You may find that you are lonely, especially due to the pandemic. While you can always video call your loved ones or try dating in the pandemic, getting a dog means you will always have company.
Constantly being lonely can affect your mental health in many ways. Dogs have been shown to significantly improve people’s moods. They can also be great for people who suffer from things like anxiety and depression, although you will likely still need professional help with this as well.
Having someone to come home is bound to make you feel less alone, especially when you see how excited your dog is to greet you every day.
Dogs build up your immune system
It has been proven that people with dogs have a stronger immune system and get sick less often than those without. This is also true for children – if your child grows up around dogs, they are bound to develop a more resilient immune system. This is because dogs often expose you to various kinds of bacteria, which will help your body build up its natural defenses.
That being said, you should still make sure that your dog is always clean, both for their hygiene as well as your family’s. You should also make sure to regularly check your dog for fleas and to deworm them.
Dogs make your house safer
From a purely practical perspective, you should get a dog because they make your house safer. Dogs are a great deterrent for people who possibly want to break into your house, and they also act as a type of alarm system to warn you when something is amiss.
Of course, you can’t solely rely on a dog for your safety – you will also need to protect your house in other ways – but a dog can be a great additional security measure.
People also often get dogs when they are away a lot, because that way, robbers are less likely to attempt to break in. Big guard dogs scare people away, while little dogs often bark and bark until someone is alerted of the problem.
You are making the world a better place
There are thousands of dogs out there, just waiting to be loved. Often, these dogs come from horrible circumstances, and if they don’t get adopted, they may live their lives out in a shelter, or end up being put down.
It’s a sad reality, but it’s true. If you can adopt a dog, you will be saving them from that horrible future. Of course, that shouldn’t be your only reason for adopting a dog – you should only do it if you can afford to and you will be able to give the dog a good life – but it is something to think about.
Dogs are great for kids
If you have children, getting a dog can also greatly benefit them. Just as a dog can help you be responsible, owning a pet is often what helps a child learn responsibility.
They may need to feed the dog or take them for a walk. These tasks may seem small, but they help a child learn that being responsible for someone else is a very important thing, and it also teaches them many other valuable life skills. It has been proven that dogs play a big role in helping children with their emotional development. If you want to learn more about why children need pets, click here.
In conclusion
There are countless reasons why you should get a dog. Not only will a loving home change a dog’s life, but it will also change yours, and your children’s, if you have any.
That being said, you shouldn’t rush out to get a dog just because of all the benefits. It’s a huge commitment and responsibility, so you need to sit down and think about whether you will be able to give a dog everything they need for a happy and healthy life.