Having a dog is associated with long-term health benefits, including a 24% lower risk of death and a 35% reduced risk of dying for heart attack survivors.
Dog owners tend to engage in more physical activity, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Dogs can also help children be more active and strengthen their immune systems through exposure to microbes.
However, dogs pose health risks like allergies, asthma, falls, bites, and zoonotic diseases. Despite this, they provide emotional support, reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and encourage social interactions.