If you already have a doggo you could probably name at least 10 ways they make life better but having a pooch also provides a real health boost, especially for kids – here’s how their love helps us

Yes, there’s also muddy paws, barking and poo patrol, but science suggests most of us are better off living with humanity’s best friend than without.

1. HOUNDS IMPROVE HEART AND GUT HEALTH Exercise is essential for heart health and cardiologists* from the University of Catania in Italy found dog walkers to be around a kilo lighter on average than non-dog-walkers. Having any type of pet is associated with better diet, lower blood pressure and blood sugar control, but a study in BMC Public Health showed that those with a canine companion specifically typically also walked 22 more minutes a day and took an extra 2760 daily steps.

This difference was almost enough in itself to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation of 150 minutes a week of moderate activity for health.

Better yet, results of a study published in PLOS One journal showed that “dog ownership can regulate the composition of gut microbiota*”, promoting the abundance of probiotics, or good bacteria, and suppressing more harmful bacteria.

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