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Petting a Dog is Good For Both of You


Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a person the following benefits:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Lower risk of heart disease
  • Improvement in chronic illnesses (such as Alzheimer's or AIDS)
  • Improvement in emotional condition -- easing of stress, sadness, and pain.
A lot of that is common knowledge. Pick up any book on pet ownership and it will tell you these things. But what about the dogs themselves?

Well, a recent study at the University of Missouri showed that after a round of petting, both the human and the dog had a 10% decrease in blood pressure.

For the dog, it didn't end there. Levels of cortisol, the hormone released by the body when it's under stress, decreased.

In another study (cited in the Vet Med Today journal), researchers explored this question directly. They found that when a dog gets frightened, their fear (as measured by their heart rate and blood pressure) would drop dramatically when a person petted them.

So pet your dog as much as possible... everyday... but especially when he or she is under stress (such as during 4th of July fireworks).

Watch out though. There are times when petting can be detrimental to your dog. This can be the case when it becomes unpleasant for them, like when you pet them too much.

Look for the following warning signs that the petting has become unpleasant for your dog (and when you see them, stop):
  • Growling.
  • Staring at you.
  • Wiggling away from you.
  • Starting to pant.
  • Yawning.
  • Rolling over.

As long as you don't see any of those warning signs, you and your dog will be okay.

On a daily basis, one of the best things you can do for your dog's health. So to sum up, make daily petting an action plan for you and your dog. Make time to pet your dog multiple times a day. Not only will it deepen the love between the two of you, but it also will ease your (and your dog's) stress and help your circulation.

John Bash maintains a new blog, Dog Health Care Information, updated often with information on natural dog health care from a well-researched, practical point of view.


MORE RESOURCES:

Pets - Google News

Fracking's Toll on Pets, Livestock Chills Farmers: Commentary - San Francisco Chronicle


Fracking's Toll on Pets, Livestock Chills Farmers: Commentary
San Francisco Chronicle
A new study by veterinarian Michelle Bamberger and Robert Oswald, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University, chronicles case studies of dozens of farmers and pet owners in six states over the Marcellus Shale. Their findings, published in ...

and more »

Tehama County Tobacco program: Love your pet by quitting smoking - Red Bluff Daily News


Tehama County Tobacco program: Love your pet by quitting smoking
Red Bluff Daily News
Valentine's Day is a traditional time to show love for the special people in our lives, but what about our pets? Our animals give us their unconditional love, and in, return, we can show our love for them by quitting smoking this Feb. 14.

and more »

February is National Pet Dental Health Month - MarketWatch (press release)


February is National Pet Dental Health Month
MarketWatch (press release)
Poor oral hygiene may lead to serious disease in our pets. Given that February is National Pet Dental Health Month, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association encourages you to better care for your pet's teeth. Just as we can experience plaque and ...

and more »

With a few rules, dogs and offices can mix well - USA TODAY


USA TODAY

With a few rules, dogs and offices can mix well
USA TODAY
There's something about having a dog there to pet." Dogs in the workplace are "a growing phenomenon," said Rebecca Johnson, director of the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine, ...

and more »

Proposed Bill Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse Victims - Patch.com


Proposed Bill Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse Victims
Patch.com
Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who's district also falls partly into Clearwater, extends legal protection to pets of an abuse victim and makes beating or abusing the victim's pet grounds for violating a court-ordered domestic violence injunction.

and more »

Pet Obesity Rate Rises - VetPracticeNews.com


VetPracticeNews.com

Pet Obesity Rate Rises
VetPracticeNews.com
The percentage of pet cats and dogs classified as overweight remained relatively constant over the past year, but the rate of obesity increased, especially among cats, according to the fifth annual veterinary survey conducted by the Association for Pet ...
Alison Sweeney Backs 'Million Pound Pledge' for PetsZootoo.com
New Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Rates are climbingFirst Coast News
More than half of all pets are overweightKPHO Phoenix

all 5 news articles »

Pet Photo Friday is almost here - submit your photos now! - AnnArbor.com


Pet Photo Friday is almost here - submit your photos now!
AnnArbor.com
Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets that live in and around our area, we're anxious to see what you've been up to. Why not submit a favorite photo of your pet? What fun activities did your pets get to enjoy this week - a hike, perhaps or a trip ...
Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)MarketWatch (press release)

all 2 news articles »

Shelter pets find forever homes - Idaho Mountain Express and Guide


Shelter pets find forever homes
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide
Over the past three decades, the shelter has adopted out more than 11000 pets and has been named one of the top nonprofits in the valley by the readers of the Sun Valley Guide. In addition, a "shelter mutt" was named one of the best breeds to have.
PETS OF THE WEEKClarksville Leaf Chronicle
Adoption screening makes sure pets find 'forever home'Houma Courier
Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless AnimalsEON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
Patch.com
all 23 news articles »

Pet oxygen masks can save animals' lives in fires - San Jose Mercury News


Pet oxygen masks can save animals' lives in fires
San Jose Mercury News
23, 2007 file photo, Nancee Schaffner of the Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team demonstrates an oxygen mask for pets on Maple, a sheperd mix dog, at the fire station in Clarendon, Vt. While pet oxygen masks have been used for decades by ...

and more »

Meet Your Match boosts puppy love (and kitty love) by matching people and pets ... - Washington Post


The Associated Press

Meet Your Match boosts puppy love (and kitty love) by matching people and pets ...
Washington Post
The color-coded program evaluates shelter pets and the people looking to adopt them in an effort to match personalities, energy levels and needs. Playing Cupid with Meet Your Match helped workers at the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ...
Find puppy love (cats too) through Meet Your MatchWTOP

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