Why Dogs are the Most Popular Pet

We don’t have to convince you…if you’re reading this, you already know that dogs are simply the best. But that’s more than a feeling – the numbers back you up! In fact, dogs are the most popular pet in the country by quite a healthy margin. As mentioned in our “ The Love of Pets” blog post, 65 million American households have a dog as a pet, with cats coming in second at 46.5 million. Besides the cuteness factor, you might think there have to be some pretty compelling reasons for that many people to have welcomed fur babies into their families. And you’d be right! Read on to learn just a few of the reasons – emotional, physical, social, and mental reasons – that dogs are so popular and beloved to us humans, as well as ways to show them your appreciation with healthy dog treats and chews!

It doesn’t take a scientific study to know that dogs make us feel better. Just being around them, stroking their fur, seeing their tails wag when we come in the room – all of those actions help up feel happier and more at ease as well as decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, research does indeed show that being around dogs measurably increases our levels of oxytocin – the “feel good” hormone – and decreases our levels of cortisol – the stress hormone. This amounts to a two-pronged emotional benefit, both increasing positive feelings and decreasing negative ones.

Living with a dog also gives us a sense of security. All dogs, even small breeds, possess an innate desire to defend and protect their humans. Dog owners often sleep more soundly and calmly knowing that our dog can at least hear an intruder or threat of danger, if not fend it off, well before we can. Many dogs can even sense distress or medical events in their humans, which is why people who suffer from diabetes, epilepsy and other disorders rely on canine companions to alert them of episodes before they happen. Dogs even exhibit what we interpret as sympathy and concern when we are sick, sad or injured, often staying right near us right when we need it most. And if your dog is a cuddler, their company can take our sense of safety and comfort to a whole other level. 

These days we can take our dogs almost anywhere, and luckily for us, they are always ready to go! Most dogs naturally acclimate and integrate into our routines and are happy to do it. They can accompany us while we engage in so many of our favorite pastimes and activities, from sharing a run or a car ride to cuddling on the couch. They don’t argue or lollygag, and they are up for anything at any time – unlike some of our two-legged companions!

In fact, sometimes dogs encourage us to get out and be social. One Harvard study says pet owners are 60 percent more likely to meet people in their communities. After all, dogs are friend magnets! A happy expression and wagging tail practically beg for an introduction, serving as the ultimate ice breaker and making us feel less anxious about meeting someone new or finding things to talk about. Consider rewarding this behavior, or encouraging it in shyer pups, by having their favorite healthy treat – our single-ingredient chicken chips of course! – on hand for such occasions. 

We already mentioned the positive emotional effects of having a dog, but those translate into positive physical effects as well. Specifically, AKC.org reports that pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure and stress levels, which in turn can reduce risk of stroke and heart disease. Petting a dog for as little as ten minutes has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate as well as relax tense muscles.

Another physical benefit of pet ownership is that dogs keep us moving. The same report states that dog owners are nearly four time likelier to get the recommended amount of daily activity than people without dogs. After all, when they walk and play, you walk and play! In fact, dog owners walk an average of nearly 5 hours a week, while those without only spend a third of that time walking. 

Not only can dogs sense when we are down, PTSD research done at Purdue University discovered that dogs can help human recover from a crisis more quickly and completely. Similarly, they even help our coping skills on a day to day basis. And this is just by having them around! If you add in the extra physical activity they prompt in us, these positive mental effects only go up.

In addition, dogs give us a sense of purpose, responsibility and pride, all of which bolster our mental state, both in terms of mood and acuity. This is especially true among seniors and retirees and those suffering from depression. What’s more, keeping track of our dog’s routine, appointments and schedule, no matter how simple, keeps our minds sharper and more agile. 

With all of the benefits we get from having a dog, it’s the least we can do to reward them for it. Yes, we give them shelter, food and water, but we also give them the canine equivalent of the love, companionship and security we feel for them. They get excited when we “treat” them or give them a dog chew toy because they understand that these are rewards. In fact, they understand a lot of things! The average dog can understand almost 90 words, and trained dogs can often double that count, and this is not even considering their understanding of human emotional cues.

So get their tails wagging when they do something positive, while you’re training them, or just because, with healthy rewards like Farm to Pet single-ingredient dog treats and organic antler chews for dogs. Steer clear of unhealthy treats and most table foods as they can be devoid of canine nutrition or downright dangerous, and stick to options like ours that are as healthy for them as they are delicious and enjoyable. And remember – the biggest treat we can give our doggos is our time and attention, so let that pet love flow!

With all of these reasons that dogs are the most popular pet, the short and sweet takeaway is that dogs improve our quality of life. Sharing our days with a dog has positive effects on our body, mind, emotions, and even our social life. Loneliness, isolation, and depression decrease, and our levels of accountability and discipline increase. As much as we improve their lives, fur babies improve ours even more - by adding purpose, activity, companionship, and pure joy without even trying.