Why do dog owners have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease?

A study of 3.4 million Swedes, the home of FourFriends has found there was a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in owners of dogs, particularly of hunting breeds. A team analysed national registries for people aged 40 to 80, and compared them to dog ownership registers from 2001 to 2012. 

While owning a dog may help physical activity, researchers said it may be active people who choose to own dogs. 

The researchers said dogs had a particularly protective effect for those who live alone. 

The results showed that single dog owners had a 33% reduction in risk of death and 11% reduction in risk of heart attack. 

People who live alone have been shown previously to be at a higher risk of cardiovascular death, although now it is thought that perhaps a dog may stand in as an important family member in the single households. 

Owning a dog from breeds originally bred for hunting, such as terriers, retrievers and scent hounds, was associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disorder.

Dog ownership has many benefits and we may now be able to count better heart health as one of them. However, as many dog owners may agree, the main reason for owning a dog is the sheer joy. 

In return you can keep your dog's heart healthy & feed FourFriends Premium dog food. Our Swedish foods don't contain any artificial ingredients or glutens. You can find out more here

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Article by Just For Friends,