When low-income, sedentary people with chronic illness were given “loaner” dogs to walk, they lost an average of 6.5kg a year, a study from the University of Missouri found – so even a gentle stroll with Fido is good.
Pet owners also tend to have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, according to a study conducted by the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne.
And if all this isn’t a big enough reason to love our four-legged friends, pets can benefit our mental health too.
Related Video: Watch the video below to see how this dog and his master stay healthy!
