You see all your friends on Facebook and Instagram constantly posting photos of their furry friends. There are dogs all over your social media feed. When you go to your friends’ houses, everyone seems to have a dog. Your friends even cancel plans with you because they want to spend time with their four-legged friends.
What’s even crazier is that according to Forbes Magazine, 92% of pet owners spent the same amount of money, if not more, on their pets during the most recent recession period. That’s saying a lot considering that in New York City, one of the most expensive cities to live in the entire country, the median household income is roughly $50,711, according to the United State Census Bureau.
So why exactly do people love their dogs so much? Well, there are several reasons, and here are just a few of them.
Dogs make you feel good
When humans and dogs look each other in the eyes, both get a boost of oxytocin, the “fool good” hormone. It’s the same hormone behind the special bond between parents and new babies. In a recent study, researchers had 30 dog-and-human pairs in a lab and got them to look into each other’s eyes, and then they had to give urine samples. In the end, dogs had a 130% increase in oxytocin levels, and owners show a 300% increase in oxytocin, regardless of gender.
They make great exercise partners
We live in a world where we go to work, come home, and watch Netflix. A lot of us sit for a majority of the day, and that’s not great for the body. If you have a dog, though, you have to take it outside, walk it, and play with it. Even if you only take a walk for 30 minutes a day, you’re getting a lot more exercise than you were before.
Dogs help the environment
Dogs don’t necessarily directly help the environment, but research studies show that they help, In fact, two studies looking at pet owners revealed that affection for pets goes hand-in-hand with concern for the environment.
All the cute stuff
Some people go crazy for baby clothes and tiny shoes, and other people can’t resist the little dog toys and Halloween sweaters. The best part is that you have an endless world of dog accessories at your fingertips thanks to the internet. Plus, the American e-commerce revenue is roughly $432.3 billion, and it’s steadily climbing. Wither it’s full truckload, less-than-truckload, or parcel, carriers have to adjust to changes in the retail industry. They will always be there to deliver the handmade dog leash your ordered from Etsy.
Why do people love dogs so much? They help you release oxytocin, they get you to exercise, they help the environment, and you can buy cute stuff for them. Now you’re thinking about doing out and getting a dog, and that’s totally understandable.
