December 8, 2025

Are Dogs a Secret Health Hack? How Dogs Benefit Mental and Physical Wellbeing

Home > Blog > Are Dogs a Secret Health Hack? How Dogs Benefit Mental and Physical Wellbeing

If you have a dog, there is no question: You love them unconditionally. You'd do just about anything for their health and happiness. And if you don’t have one, maybe you’re wondering whether you even have the time and energy to care for a pet.

But did you know this relationship can go both ways? Dogs are good for your mental, physical, and social well-being. It's the daily walks, the dopamine hit from zoomies in the park, the constant companionship, and the two-way empathy they encourage. The benefits of owning a dog for human health are multifaceted and now backed up by science.

And considering our four-legged friends do so much for our health and well-being, it's about time we got all these good boys and good girls an extra-special treat.

So, without further ado, "Woof Woof! Bark Bark!" Or, to translate that into human: "Let's get into it!"

The TL:DR: 10 Ways a Dog is the Gift That Gives Back

Dogs increase your daily physical activity.
Dog walking lowers blood pressure and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Dog fur can boost your immune system.
Therapy and support dogs lessen the symptoms of mental health conditions.
Dogs help lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
Time with dogs reduces feelings of loneliness.
Dog walking helps you meet new people.
Being with a dog helps you stay present and connected.
Dog ownership increases empathy toward people.
And finally, the zoomies — nothing beats the zoomies!

The Physical Health Benefits of Having a Dog

It's no surprise to any dog owner that these furballs are good for your physical health. From the constant walks to the time spent outside to the daily wrestle, studies confirm that, on average, dog owners move their bodies more than non-dog owners.

Several papers cited by the American Heart Association reported that "dog owners engaged in significantly more walking and physical activity than nonowners." In these studies (conducted in Japan and the US), dog walkers were far more likely to meet daily physical activity recommendations.

Sure, a casual walk around the neighborhood may not feel like much, but regular light exercise really adds up for your overall health — specifically because even this easy-going walk with your pup can have a direct impact on your cardiovascular health.

Walking in general is a proven way to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, and other studies have found tentative links between pet ownership and other potential cardiovascular benefits, like reduced hypertension and blood pressure. It’s not that you need a dog to enjoy these benefits, but the sheer necessity definitely adds a layer of motivation to the activity.

And as an added bonus, there is a theory that simply being around a dog — its fur and all that unavoidable dandruff — helps strengthen your immune system through doggy-exposure therapy. Studies show that early exposure to pets (i.e., growing up with a household pet) tends to actually lower the risk of asthma, eczema, and allergies.

The Emotional and Mental Benefits of Dogs

From offering comfort to patients in hospital settings to assisting people with disabilities with daily tasks, dogs provide us with judgment-free companionship and tireless support.

So it's no wonder they've evolved from beloved pets to trusted, if somewhat furry, healthcare professionals. Today, dogs serve in critical support roles as both therapy and service animals, and the science backs up just how powerful those roles can be.

One of the most compelling studies to date, a large clinical trial involving US veterans and service members with PTSD, found that adding a trained service dog to standard care led to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression — all within just three months.

It’s part of the reason we sponsored Delta, a now fully certified service pup, ensuring he was trained and paired with a deserving veteran in the K9s for Warriors program.

But the benefits of being around dogs don't just occur when they are specially trained. Many of the very same benefits also come from your own goofy family dog. At home, they can have profound emotional and mental health effects.

Let's start with the simple act of petting and being in their presence. This can help regulate hormones by reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and boosting oxytocin (the feel-good, bonding hormone).

And then there's the companionship factor. Studies continue to show that having a dog helps reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Whether they're curling up beside us when we're feeling low, nudging our hand for a reassuring pat, or simply staying close during tough times, their presence is a source of comfort.

And it's true: If you've ever experienced a canine companion sneak into bed for a cuddle or roll over for a belly rub, this interaction makes you feel instantly better, present, and grounded.

How Dogs Help Us Connect

So far, we've examined how dogs support physical and mental health, but what about the benefits that move beyond ourselves?

If you've ever walked a dog around your local park, you'll already know that every fur ball becomes a magnet for social connection. Just think of the last time your dog played with another dog. Chances are, you started talking to the owner, someone who was previously just a stranger in a park. This is the spark of social connection, community, and friendship.

There are, of course, studies on the social connections dogs help forge on our behalf. Researchers have measured how walking with a dog increases casual social contact (all those friendly chats with neighbors) compared with walking alone. The same research also found that the more daily dog walks, the more social interactions there were.

Plus, dog walkers are more likely to meet new people and report more interactions in neighborhood spaces. From a 2015 study, "Pet owners were significantly more likely to get to know people in their neighborhood than non-pet owners," and, what's more, they were more likely to "regard people whom they met through their pet as a friend."

Simply put, dogs have a way of making us better humans. Having a dog around deepens our empathy for all animals, and that empathy trickles outward to people, too. Empathy begets more empathy, whether it's toward the four-legged or two-legged creatures in our lives.

Even for the more introverted among us, dogs offer a unique kind of support. They give us something outside ourselves to focus on, to talk about, and to stay grounded around — because staying emotionally aware of what our dogs need is, in and of itself, a practice of empathy and mindfulness.

Returning the Favor: How We Can Support Our Dogs' Wellness

There are four pillars of dog ownership that support a healthy, happy dog:
Balanced nutrition
Regular, age-appropriate activity
Daily social interaction (human, dog, or otherwise)
Natural, veterinarian-approved supplements

Giving your dogs the same love, support, and companionship as they have given you over the years is not an option. Most of us would go to the ends of the earth and back to make our canine companion happy.

Whether it's extra support during 4th of July fireworks or shorter daily walks to alleviate joint pain, there are always ways to up your game in the good-dog-owner department.

Chances are, you have the first three pillars on lockdown, feeding your dog the best food you can buy, taking them on daily walks, and providing plenty of opportunities for cuddles, pets, and zoomies in the park with their friends.

But what about a little natural boost for their mind and body?

Support Their Calm, Naturally

CBD for dogs is an all-natural, safe compound found in hemp plants. Veterinary research has shown that it supports calmness, mobility, and relief from physical discomfort in dogs of all ages.

Because we love our own pups so much, we created our Calming CBD Dog Treats alongside veterinary advisor Cody Crenwelge, DVM. With all-natural ingredients, our treats are designed to support your furry friend's emotional and physical well-being.

bag of full spectrum CBD dog treats in chicken dinner flavor

Chicken Dinner - Calming CBD Dog Treats

20mg CBD/Pc

EXPLORE

bag of full spectrum CBD dog treats in peanut butter flavor

Peanut Butter - Calming CBD Dog Treats

20mg CBD/Pc

EXPLORE

Each savory treat is:

Infused with 20mg of full-spectrum CBD for the full benefits of hemp
Made with human-grade ingredients like chicken/peanut butter, spinach, and carrots
Formulated for everyday calm (re: thunderstorms, fireworks, separation anxiety, and triggering noises)

Help your dog feel as good as they make you feel with our vet-approved natural supplements.

Dogs are Truly a Human's Best Friend

If you were contemplating getting a pet before, with so much scientific support behind the benefits of dogs, you should already have your answer. Dogs are good for the mind, body, and soul. They make us healthier, happier, and better people all around.

As any dog owner will confirm, there is no better partner in life than a crazy, furry canine companion. They'll give you unwavering friendship, unconditional love, and, as we now know, scientifically proven benefits for your physical and mental well-being. There is truly nothing they can't do.

We'll leave you with a happy tail wag, and Until Next Time, "Woof Woof!"