The Benefits of Dog Ownership for Mental, Physical, and Social Health
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.15273/hpj.v5i3.12363Résumé
Dog ownership is common in Canada, with approximately 33% of Canadians living with a canine companion. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that dogs may support human health and well-being across multiple domains. Research has associated dog companionship with improvements in mental, physical, and social health, highlighting a potential role in public health promotion. Mentally, interaction with dogs has been linked to reduced stress and cortisol levels and increased serotonin and dopamine, which may alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Physically, walking and playing with dogs are associated with enhanced cardiovascular health, weight management, and mobility, while also enhancing sleep quality. Socially, dogs serve as social facilitators, fostering social interaction and community engagement. This commentary examines the health benefits of dog companionship through a lifestyle medicine lens. For individuals, it highlights how daily interaction with dogs, whether through ownership or alternative forms of engagement, may support mental, physical, and social well-being. For health care providers, it offers evidence-based insights to guide recommendations around dog-assisted interventions within holistic health strategies. Finally, for public health professionals and policy-makers, it advocates for broader recognition of these benefits in health promotion strategies and recommends inclusive, dog-centred community programs that extend these positive effects beyond ownership alone.
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© Alexane Rheaume-Gagnon 2025
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