Dog-owners 'lead healthier lives'

[BoogyMan]

Source: Link Here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6279701.stm)

If you want to live a healthier life get a dog, research suggests.

The companionship offered by many pets is thought to be good for you, but the benefits of owning a dog outstrip those of cat owners, the study says.

A psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Writing in the British Journal of Health Psychology, she says that regular 'walkies' may partly explain the difference.

Dr Deborah Wells reviewed dozens of earlier research papers which looked at the health benefits of pet ownership.

In some cases, the social support offered by an animal is greater than the support than another human could offer.

She confirmed that pet owners tended in general to be healthier than the average member of the population.

However, her research suggested that dog ownership produced more positive influence than cat ownership.

As well as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, she said dog-owners suffered fewer minor ailments and serious medical problems.

There was also the suggestion that dogs could aid recovery from serious illnesses such as heart attacks, and act as 'early warning' to detect an approaching epileptic seizure.

Dr Wells said the precise reason for the benefits was not totally clear.

"It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress, one of the major risk factors associated with ill-health.

"The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner."

Dr June McNicholas, a health psychologist who has specialised on research into the health effects of pet ownership said that an important reason for the improved health of dog-owners was not just the exercise received while taking it for walks, but the opportunity for social contact with other dog-owners.

She said: "For older people, an animal can fulfil the 'need to be needed', perhaps after children have left home.

"In some cases, the social support offered by an animal is greater than the support than another human could offer."

[Elrathin]

However, her research suggested that dog ownership produced more positive influence than cat ownership.

I disagree with that statement. It is the attitude of the owner that is important. If you have the time, the space, effort and are able to have a dog in your place, then having a dog might be good for you.

However, if you find you don't have a lot of time, are busy, away from the house a lot, a cat might be your thing. Cat's are really low maintenance pets and are easier IMO to care for than a dog is. I found I had and have had a lot more positive influence from my cat rather than a dog simply because of the time I can put in.

Myself I have always loved dogs, but I turned into a cat lover early in my life because my wife had one, at the time we moved in together we were in an apartment and couldn't have dogs, I was busy and she was busy, and I had heavy allergies to dogs.

I have always had a pet peeve with dog owners that should be cat owners. Our neighbor has a dog that is always left outside and hardly ever given attention. I find the sad fact that I give more attention to that dog then they do.

[Alonzo]

I have always had a pet peeve with dog owners that should be cat owners. Our neighbor has a dog that is always left outside and hardly ever given attention. I find the sad fact that I give more attention to that dog then they do.


Cats shouldn't be left outside either. The average life expectancy of outdoor cats is 3-5, usually they end up killed by cars, fights, diseases (FIV for example), etc. Being killed in an attack is more likely when they've been declawed (something that shouldn't be done anyway).

[Cobra]

(something that shouldn't be done anyway).
Declaing is no more a harm to a cat than getting it fixed if it's going to live it days in a house and the procedure makes that possible. Some cats can't live indoors unless they are de-clawed.

[Cobra]

As for pets, I enjoy cats more than dogs. I don't have one of my own now because my parents wont let me but I do feed a stray tom that's really sweet and comes around my house all the time especially during the spring. He's not a very big cat and the other cats beat him up and run him off the place he lives.

[Elrathin]

Cats shouldn't be left outside either. The average life expectancy of outdoor cats is 3-5, usually they end up killed by cars, fights, diseases (FIV for example), etc. Being killed in an attack is more likely when they've been declawed (something that shouldn't be done anyway).


That wasn't what I was suggesting. Our cat isn't left outdoors over night, however, he is allowed to roam freely during the day. It is also the area we live in. The closest house to us is about 3/4 miles a way and the only one that travels along.

My point of the neighbors are they don't have a lot of time for their dog and it is left outside except at night when it is put in the garage. The dog isn't allowed inside of the house.

As for de-clawing I am 100% against it in any case that doesn't need to be done for the protection of the cat.

Most cats however, are able to stay inside with too much trouble and again they are still far less maintenance than a dog is.

[Elrathin]

(something that shouldn't be done anyway).
Declaing is no more a harm to a cat than getting it fixed if it's going to live it days in a house and the procedure makes that possible. Some cats can't live indoors unless they are de-clawed.


Actually it is. Statistics show that a de-clawed cat lives less than one that isn't typically. They are plenty of items out there to discourage a cat from clawing on the furniture.

We used a spray that was odorless and didn't discolor the furniture and items we didn't want him scratching on for the first year, which total cost about 1/3 the cost of de-clawing.

Again, I am 100% against the de-clawing of cats, I think it is cruel punishment for the animal. Anyone who has seen a cat play with his claws with string should know this IMO. It is almost pathetic how a de-clawed cat tries to play with string and eventually gives up because it is frustrating. I have seen several de-clawed cats in my time and I would NEVER do that to any cat I owned.

[Cobra]

Many a cat would be outside or in the pound if they weren't declawed. I've seen de-clawed cats that were just fine. Something will never agree on I guess but front de-clawed cats are far easier to live with and can have just as happy lives.

[Alonzo]

(something that shouldn't be done anyway).
Declaing is no more a harm to a cat than getting it fixed if it's going to live it days in a house and the procedure makes that possible. Some cats can't live indoors unless they are de-clawed.


Declawing cats is removing not only the claws but part of the toes. It's painful, takes away their main defense, increases their likelihood of biting, and affets balance. It can also create paw sensitivity, which can result in them not using the litter box.

Some vets refuse to perform it and the procedure has been outlaws in some european countries. For example, in the u.k. and germany it's illegal and considered animal cruelty, except under exceptional circumstances.

The veterinary hospital I primarily go to (angell memorial in boston) is one of the better ones in the country and refuses to carry out the practice. Many carry it out only because they feel the owner may get rid of the cat, even though they think the procedure shouldn't be performe.

[Cobra]

Many carry it out only because they feel the owner may get rid of the cat, even though they think the procedure shouldn't be performe.
And the owners may very well, some cats are so wild declawing them is the only way to keep them in the home.

I've had and seen plent of declawed cats do fine. Never had a problem walking or using a litter box but could no longer pounce and claw people up or climb the drapes or claw their eldlerly diebetic owner who couldn't be scratched but still loved her crazy ass cat. No one would have taken that cat in and the humane society would have just put it down.

[ECW]

Since we're talking about dogs in this thread, I just have to say that Great Danes are the best. I have two and they are fabulous.

[Cobra]

Since we're talking about dogs in this thread
What, I clearly see a discussion about cats.[/code]

But for dogs, I have a pug. Nice enough dog and smart but gets smelly and sheds a lot.

[BoogyMan]

Am I the only dog AND cat owner here? We have two Maine Coon cats a Bassett Hound and a Beagle.

[ECW]

Am I the only dog AND cat owner here?Â*Â*We have two Maine Coon cats a Bassett Hound and a Beagle.


fence sitter

[BoogyMan]

Am I the only dog AND cat owner here? We have two Maine Coon cats a Bassett Hound and a Beagle.


fence sitter


Nah, but I have a very persuasive a cute little 10 year old daughter that loves kitty cats. As long as she likes them, I like them. LOL