Most dog parents would confirm that you never need a reason to hug your dog more — if anything, a dog’s gaze, and refresh is enough to melt any dog lover’s heart. However, there are actual benefits to cuddling your dog and petting them.
1- Your dog needs it. Science says so.
If researchers have confirmed one thing about animal behavior, it’s that domestic animals are more like us than we would ever realize — and just like average people, they require bonding and physical contact to get happy. Dogs can have depression — and just like people, they are pack animals. Isolating a dog will cause it dangerous emotional stress.
2-It’ll build your relationship immensely.
Researches indicate that when you link with your dog, both you and your pet show developed levels of oxytocin in the blood. Oxytocin, famous for the “love hormone”, is emitted by the body while social interactions that are particularly significant to building relationships — for instance between a mother and her breastfeeding child, or a couple in love. Other domesticated mammals also show increased levels of oxytocin during positive reactions. However, dogs are especially linked to their respective humans.
Cuddling is good for you as much as it is for your dog. Human cortisol levels drop while oxytocin is released, besides a quiet heart rate after a time of cuddling and petting. Cortisol is a human’s stress hormone, used to bring about metabolic action to help you deal with your “hostile” environment and regulate your body. However, excess levels lead to physical breakdown.
4-It can also lower your risk of stroke.
Simply — if you give yourself more time to relax and be calm, you decrease your chances of having a stroke. Hugging your dog or anyone else you love for that matter can be a reason for you you avoid a stroke. Be sure to add dosages of happiness and healthy food.
5-It can beat away at depression.
Increased levels of oxytocin and social interaction are backward related to depression — beside serotonin, dopamine, and all the other lovely brain cocktails that make you forget about being mopey and dopey. Alongside this, anyone knows that cuddling a cute, excited loving animal is the best cure for depression.
6-Cuddling your dog reduces pain for both of you.
Oxytocin is the love hormone. Also, it is also key in mammalian birth — mothers experience an explosion of oxytocin while the labor to both relax the uterus and decrease the levels the pain. The last part seems to work much better in some than in others. However, biological reasoning is part of why oxytocin generally is a natural way for your body to deal with anything from wounds to headaches and cramps.
7-Petting and cuddling reduces anxiety
Maybe as a way to reassure children, oxytocin released while petting and cuddling deals with fear and anxiety, and can be a good way to help cope when things get too fearful. Though, that cuddling a dog while he or she is exhibiting fear may backfire and make them think you’re making anxiety easier to come. However, wean a dog to its phobia and encourage relaxation with petting and treats.
8-Cuddling your pet may even help release insulin.
Scientists indicate that oxytocin that is produced naturally might be practical as an insulin-secreting drug. That means oxytocin release could possibly help battle obesity and diabetes. However, don’t let cuddles be your primary path towards losing weight.
9-Dogs are cute.
Usually, dogs behave like they were born on this planet to be hugged — and that’s a hard aim for any dog parent to ignore. they’ll swear a forever of faithfulness and respect to you.
