CELEBRATING OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS - International Pet Day

Every day is pet day for us adoring owners, but 11 April is extra special because it’s when the whole world officially comes together to celebrate our four-legged friends!   A day to celebrate their unique personalities and an opportunity to take a closer look at the bond between us and our canine companions, how they improve our lives and how we can repay them…

The Bond

There’s a reason us humans are so obsessed with our four-legged companions; the bond between humans and dogs goes back thousands of years.  In fact, evidence suggests that we may have begun slowly domesticating dogs around 15,000 years ago!!

Dogs feel a keen empathy and protective instinct for humans and can bond deeply with us.  When humans realised this all those years ago, they nurtured that bond, fed the dogs and provided them with care and shelter.  It’s a wonderfully rewarding relationship which is mutually beneficially and has continued to the present day.

Are there health benefits to owning a dog?

Without a doubt, yes!

They greet us with wagging tails, furry hugs and boundless enthusiasm.  For dog lovers, these affable four-legged creatures are more than just pets; they’re family members who provide comfort, joy and health benefits.

What may surprise you though, is how well-recognised this is in science.

Recent research is cementing what many dog owners have long suspected; dogs not only bring joy but have a significant positive impact on our physical and mental wellbeing, including the ability to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.  The results are intriguing and offer promising insights into human-dog interactions.  Studies have shown that these interactions produce reductions in cortisol, often referred to as the ‘stress hormone’ and increases in oxytocin, often referred to as the ‘love hormone’, both for your dog and for you!   These hormone changes are not just short term either; they can last for up to six months even after only a short encounter, so your dog can have a paw-sitive impact not only on you and your family, but also on anyone else you meet!

But it’s not just improved hormone changes, our dogs can also boost our overall mental and physical wellbeing.  They can pull us away from our phones or what ever we are doing and make us connect with them, and another study found that dog owners, on average, are 30 minutes more active daily.  

How is owning a dog beneficial for the family?

Most of us consider our dog to be a member of the family and include them in all our family celebrations and traditions. Children often consider their relationship with their dog to be more important than some human relationships! Although, we can all probably think of at least one person in our lives that is way down the pecking order compared to our fur baby!

It’s not surprising really – our dogs are excellent non-judgemental confidantes and provide many of us with a sense of purpose, which is important for the development of self-confidence. In fact, children that grow up with pets have been shown to have enhanced self-esteem, empathy and cognitive development. They participate more in social activities and have fewer peer problems.

Dogs are also great for opening doors of opportunity. They encourage learning, going out and finding new adventures and provide a shared sense of responsibility – all the ingredients for quality family bonding.

Do our dogs love us like we love them?

As mentioned earlier, it has been proven that dogs get a rush of oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’) when they feel deeply bonded with their owners, which increases a sense of trust and comfort, so yes, it’s probably fair to say that in their own way, our dogs do love us, but it’s difficult to measure it in the same way that we love them.

Your dog’s feelings and emotions will be boosted through positive experiences, such as providing them with affection, fun activities, safety and consistency.

Your dog may show you they love you by seeking you out for cuddles or simply being content next to you, they may keep objects with your scent close by, try to get you to play with them, or simply gaze at you with a relaxed body language and waggy tail, showing they are happy spending time with you. 

Have a look at our other blogs ‘More than Just a Pet!’, ‘And they call it Puppy Love…’  and ‘Fun Dog Facts’  to find out more about doggy behaviours.

How do I protect the relationship with my dog?

While it may feel like nothing can break the bond that you have with your dog, there are some unfortunate hidden dangers that can threaten it.

Behavioural issues can put a real strain on your friendship, making you question if you really know them at all. It’s important to remember that your dog isn’t deliberately being naughty, or trying to upset you, so try to remain calm with them if they do seem to be playing up. Misbehaviour usually has a root cause, so think carefully whether anything has changed in your dog’s life recently that may have upset them; have they had a change of routine, have you changed their food, or have you had other animals in the house?  If in doubt, consult your vet to make sure it’s not an illness making them act out of character.

How can I show my dog that I love them?

Trust us, they know! But we get the desire to want to spoil them and make sure that they feel as loved as they make us feel. While it’s tempting to shower them in tasty treats or lavish gifts (and don’t get us wrong – that’s OK sometimes…), but all they really want is YOU.

Spend time with your dog doing what they love – play their favourite game with them or take them somewhere that you know they’ll love. Or just hang out together – sometimes quiet time is the best.

And of course, the other big responsibility of being your dog’s best friend is to keep them healthy and we can help to make this easy for you with our two ranges of perfectly balanced raw dog food.  

Celebrate International Pet Day and give your dog a taste of the best!  Choose from our New Superfood Complete Range or our Country Kitchen Range.

 Happy International Pet Day!

 References:  https://pethealthfirst.com/celebrating-pets-on-international-pet-day/

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