Your Dog's Psychological Needs Are Directly Connected To Your Health

Human well-being has been a hot topic in recent years. More specifically, a lot of focus has been placed on the importance of mental health. Living in a fast-paced reality has placed a lot of pressure and indirect psychological impact on many of us.

Levels of stress and anxiety have risen exponentially, and doctors have needed to prescribe more medication than ever before. Just as we humans have psychological needs, so do our canine companions. Research has shown, however, that we can be good for each other’s mental health. In other words, what we do for our loyal companion’s mental well-being, they do for ours (and vice versa).

Our furry-faced family members seem to play an even more important role in our lives than we might have thought. A study has shown that by supporting your four-legged friend, you in-turn support your own well-being. This is commonly referred to as the “pet effect”. What it means is that the more love and care you show your beloved dog, the more love and care you feel from your dog in return.

This is mostly because we cast human needs onto our dogs and thus perceive them to have the same needs as we do. The feeling that comes with closely loving another is rewarding and boosts positive emotions. Research has shown that there are added benefits, such as decreased distress and anxiety. It goes without saying that we now have a scientifically proven reason to love our dogs and spoil them even more!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay