The Science Behind Dog Health Couldn't Be More Fascinating
You may think you know how to keep your dog happy and healthy. Food, exercise, love, veterinary care, a few trips to the dog park every week and some Beggin' Strips may be be all you feel your dog really requires to live their best life.
Well, Discover Magazine posted a study on Tuesday about what a dog needs to be happy and healthy and it's just so fascinating! Read on to learn more.
The Dog Aging Project found five broad categories that play key roles in a dog's wellbeing: home stability, income, kids, other pets and owner age.
The study found that dogs who live in wealthier households tend to be healthier overall, probably due to the fact veterinary care can be pricey, and so can specialized food. Surprisingly, the study also found households with kids generally had less healthy dogs. Not because children are bad for dogs, but it was suggested that funds usually allocated for animal care went to the kids instead.
The study also discovered that younger dogs with older owners experienced better health outcomes compared to older dogs who had older owners.
Of these factors, social interactions, particularly with other dogs, appear to play the biggest role in the health of canine companions. That's a really good reason to schedule your dog for a visit to doggy daycare, arrange a playdate with another pup, or adopt another dog into your household.
Considering the most important factor that contributes to a dog's overall wellbeing is socialization, that's something a lot of pet parents can change other than their age or income level. So don't worry if you aren't wealthy or you're starting to notice those grey hairs and frown lines creeping in, just make a dog friend for your dog and they will be healthier and happier overall.
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