Why own a dog

Just make sure you are picking a responsible breeder. There are many puppy mills and inexperienced breeders out there that are contributing to the population of dogs that end up in shelters and rescues.

A good breeder, rescue, or shelter will have no issue being open and honest with you and will be just as invested in finding the dog that is the best fit for you.

Are you ready for a dog? What are some things that you think a person should consider before committing to a new pet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Krystn is a passionate pet nutrition enthusiast. She has worked in the pet industry for over a decade and loves to share her passion for animal welfare with others. She loves all animals but is currently channeling some crazy cat lady vibes with her four lovable, but rebellious cats. Shop Blog Resources.

Love learning about pets? Subscribe to get free pet tips and resources sent right to your inbox. Table of Contents. Krystn Janisse. Written by Krystn Janisse Krystn is a passionate pet nutrition enthusiast. Most Popular Dog Posts. What are Bully Sticks Made From? The Facts, Myths, and Nutrition. Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?

Customer care. About Us Blog Jobs. Keep children away from areas that might contain dog or cat poop to prevent them from getting roundworms and hookworms. Pets can teach children compassion and responsibility.

However, children younger than 5 years old should be supervised while interacting with animals to ensure the safety of the child and the pet. Adults should supervise and be extra cautious when children younger than 5 years old have direct contact with farm animals, including animals at petting zoos and fairs.

Although they may look cute and cuddly, avoid touching wild animals to reduce the risk of illness and injury. You might find a young animal that appears to be abandoned and want to rescue it, but often its parent is close by. If you are concerned about the safety of a wild animal, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Healthy Pets, Healthy People. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. How to Stay Healthy Around Pets. Minus Related Pages. Understand the Risks and Benefits of Pets. Dogs Can Keep You Safe Studies have shown that barking dogs help deter burglaries and other violent attacks.

American Humane Follow 10, 32, Founded in , American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals. Reply on Twitter Retweet on Twitter 9 Like on Twitter 16 Twitter Retweet on Twitter American Humane Retweeted. Reply on Twitter Retweet on Twitter 2 Like on Twitter 9 Twitter Reply on Twitter Retweet on Twitter 3 Like on Twitter 7 Twitter But if anyone tries to poo-poo your pooch, know that there are some scientific reasons that they're man's best friend.

If cleaning commercials are to be believed, humanity is in the midst of a war against germs—and we shouldn't stop until every single one is dead. In reality, the amount of disinfecting we do is making us sicker; since our bodies are exposed to a less diverse mix of germs, our entire microbiome is messed up. Fortunately, dogs are covered in germs! Having a dog in the house means more diverse bacteria enters the home and gets inside the occupants one study found "dog-related biodiversity" is especially high on pillowcases.

In turn, people with dogs seem to get ill less frequently and less severely than people—especially children—with cats or no pets. While dog dander can be a trigger for people with allergies, growing up in a house with a dog makes children less likely to develop allergies over the course of their lives. And the benefits can start during gestation; a study published in the journal Microbiome found that a bacterial exchange happened between women who lived with pets largely dogs during pregnancy and their children, regardless of type of birth or whether the child was breastfed, and even if the pet was not in the home after the birth of the child.

Those children tested had two bacteria, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira , that reduce the risk of common allergies, asthma, and obesity, and they were less likely to develop eczema.