Dogs scientifically improve your health beyond just going for walks

If you have a dog, you probably don’t need anyone to tell you they come with benefits.

From wagging tails and uncomplicated adoration to daily walkies, your hound is a health hit on four legs.

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.

Professor Tim Spector, scientific co-founder of nutrition company ZOE, said: “There have been several studies showing that dog owners have more diverse and healthier gut microbes than non-dog owners.”

2. STROKING YOUR DOG STOKES YOUR IMMUNITY
A Wilkes University Pennsylvania study in the US found patting a dog led to a significant spike in immunoglobulin A, an immune antibody* that acts as the first line of defence against respiratory and digestive infections. Dogs also help support our immune system, said University of Sussex senior lecturer in immunology, Dr Jenna Macciochi.

“Pets act as microbial ambassadors, vectors for microbes from the outdoors,” Dr Macciochi said. “With every waggy tail or paw-print a dog will transport an array of micro-organisms from soil, plant and other environments into our homes.”

3. TALKING TO YOUR DOG IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN
Canine chitchat apparently strengthens brainwaves associated with rest and relaxation. Scientists who conducted a 2024 study in PLOS One found that playing with a dog enhanced alpha wave* activity, enhancing relaxation and reduced mental stress, whereas grooming or stroking the dog was linked with beta waves* that increased focus and concentration. Everyone who took part in the study felt significantly less stressed after interacting with a dog.

“Specific dog activities could activate stronger relaxation, emotional stability, attention, concentration and creativity by facilitating increased brain activity,” the researchers said.

4. HAVING A DOG MAY HELP WARD OFF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA AND ECZEMA
Babies exposed to dog allergens* in their home have better lung function and a 45 per cent lower risk of developing asthma by the age of five, according to a new study by Canadian scientists in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology*.

Having a dog as a pet before the age of 12 might also help to protect young children against eczema*, according to a review of 23 studies published in Paediatric* Research last year. Another 2025 paper in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology* that analysed data from 270,000 people found that having a dog early in life even offered protection for children genetically* more prone to eczema.

5. DOGS BOOST AND PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH
Dogs may also help encourage positive behaviours such as low aggression and empathy*, according to a study in iScience by Professor Takefumi Kikusui of Japan’s Azabu University. Professor Kikusui took saliva samples from a group of 345 teenagers and found that those with dogs had higher levels of bacteria linked to better mood and mental health scores.

Winston’s Wish bereavement* services manager Sophie Kirkwood-Horne agreed that stroking and playing with dogs helped the nervous system to calm and settle.

“It’s been shown in multiple studies and research that having access to animals, specifically dogs, during times of stress or anxiety brings a reduction in emotional dysregulation*,” she said.

The article was originally published by The Times.

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GLOSSARY

• microbiota: community of micro-organisms in a specific environment
• antibody: a protein produced in the blood that fights diseases by attacking and killing harmful bacteria, viruses
• alpha waves: any of the electrical waves from the parietal and occipital regions of the brain
• beta waves: any of the electrical waves from the parietal-frontal regions of the brain
• allergens: substances that cause an allergic response
• immunology: the study of how the body fights disease and infection
• genetically: relating to genetics, genes or the origin of something
• paediatric: relating to the medical care of children
• eczema: a skin condition in which areas of the skin become red, rough and sore
• cardiologists: a doctor who specialises in treating medical conditions of the heart
• empathy: the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like
• bereavement: loss, death of a close relation or friend
• dysregulation: trouble managing feelings or reactions

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QUICK QUIZ

1. What is the World Health Organisation’s recommended weekly moderate activity minimum in minutes?
2. Petting a dog was found to produce a spike in what immune antibody?
3. One study found that playing with a dog enhanced alpha wave activity, which enhanced what?
4. By what percentage is asthma risked reduced when babies have a dog in the house?
5. How many teenagers were in Professor Kikusai’s study and what did the research find?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Benefits of having a dog
After reading the Kids News article listing all the scientific and health reasons of having a dog, group these benefits into the categories below:

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Does your school have a wellbeing dog? If it does, outline the benefits you see. If it doesn’t, write a letter to your principal explaining all the benefits of having a school wellbeing dog in your classrooms.

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Animal alliterations
With a partner, choose one of the pictures from the article.

Make a list of nouns you could use to name the animal in the picture. For example, instead of a tiger, you could also say cat, or feline.

Pick your favourite noun and identify its initial sound — what sound it starts with, not necessarily what letter.

Now, using the initial sound, make a list of adjectives to describe the animal. Try to be specific. Don’t just look at the animal as a whole, look at their different features as well.

Build on these same sound words, and add any verbs and adverbs you could use to describe the animal and their movements.

Try to put it all together and use as many same sound words in a sentence, to create an alliteration about the animal in the picture. For example: the terrifying tiger, tiptoed through tangled trees chasing his prey.