8 Reasons Why Adopting A Dog Can Help Your Depression

There have been many studies over the years that show pets can help people in all sorts of ways. Obvious examples include seeing-eye dogs, to help the blind and visually impaired, and service dogs, to help around the house, but more and more dogs are being used for emotional support and therapy.

So, what exactly are the benefits of adopting a dog, especially if you suffer from depression?

This guide lists the most important reasons why you should consider having a pet if you’re depressed or anxious.

Companionship

Living with depression can feel very lonely – even if you don’t actually live by yourself. For example, your partner may be out at work all day, your children may be at school or college, or may even have left home.

But having a dog to share your life with is a constant source of companionship.

My wife died unexpectedly just over six months ago (at the time of writing this), and while my three dogs in no way make up for her not being here, they do provide companionship, amongst other things. Living by myself with no other people and no animals would be unbearable, as much as I like my own company.

Developing A Routine

In order to help pets feel safe and stress-free, it’s best if they have a routine. For example, if you’re the sort of person who feeds their dogs on a strict timescale (something I don’t do as our dogs have always been allowed to free-feed), then it’s crucial you don’t vary much from that routine.

And having a routine is also helpful for people with depression – it can reduce the need for thinking (something depressed people can struggle with) because the routine becomes automatic.

Exercise

All dogs, regardless of their size, need some form of regular exercise.

And as it happens, exercise is great if you suffer from mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.

There may be days (in fact, there almost definitely will be) when you don’t feel like going out for a walk – but if you have a dog that needs its exercise (at least once a day), then now you have somebody else to consider apart from yourself.

Taking your doggie for a walk therefore kills two birds with one stone.

Of course, some breeds need more than others, so make sure you do your research first, to ensure you are not taking on more than you can manage.

Improving Health

At least one study has shown that when pet owners discover that their bad habits (smoking, in the case of the study referenced) can have serious health consequences for their animals (e.g. cats, dogs, birds), it motivates them to cut down or even stop that habit.

Again, when you know that you have pets who are dependent on you, it can focus your mind on looking after yourself better.

This has certainly been on my mind a lot since my wife died – what would happen to my three dogs if I was seriously ill (or dead)? This is even more of an issue for me as I don’t go out (by choice) and see very few people, so it could be days before anybody realized anything was wrong. As a result of this, I am now trying to live a more healthy lifestyle.

Purpose

People with depression often struggle to find purpose and motivation in their lives, both in general and on a day-to-day basis, which isn’t too surprising when just making it through the day can be a real challenge.

Sharing your life with a dog, however, automatically gives you some purpose – he or she needs to be cared for, fed, shown affection and love, and exercised.

So, while you may not feel like getting out of bed in the morning, knowing that you have somebody (e.g. a dog) that needs attention can provide the motivation you need, which may otherwise be lacking.

Relieving Anxiety And Stress

Studies have shown that stroking and cuddling animals, or playing with them, reduces anxiety and stress – not that you need an excuse to pet your doggie, of course, but when there’s a benefit to it as well, why wouldn’t you?

Socializing

When you take your dog for a walk, maybe around the block, or in the local park, or just to the store and back, there is a good chance you will meet new people. After all, who can resist a dog?

Since people with depression often shy away from social contact, this is good therapy for you – and it’s easier because many people will approach your dog first, which you may find less threatening and anxiety-inducing.

And even if they don’t, then if it’s another dog owner (which is very likely), at least you know you have something in common before you begin.

Unconditional Love

Human beings are flawed creatures, and they have their own problems and hang-ups too, which means they’re not always there for you when you need them. And let’s not forget that depressed people can be hard to love sometimes, because of the way their illness affects them.

Dogs, on the other hand, are renowned for their ability to love you unconditionally – provided you treat them well, of course.

So, when you’re depressed, it’s nice to know that you can count on being loved by your dog, at least, even if the people in your life are avoiding you, for whatever reason.

Conclusion

So, I hope you can appreciate the many benefits of adopting a dog if you’re depressed.

However, there are, of course, some practical considerations to bear in mind, including:

1. Which breed is best for you? (Different breeds have different temperaments, in general, with differing requirements.)
2. Are you able to give them the exercise they need?
3. Will your decision to have a pet affect other people, and are they OK with this?
4. Can you afford a dog? Don’t forget, it’s not just about the adoption fee – there’s food, vet bills, maybe toys and bedding, and more.
5. How much training (e.g. house-training, behavioural training) is it reasonable for you to have to do?
6. Can you make sure you have access to a regular supply of (high-quality) food for them?
7. What will happen to your dog(s) if something should prevent you from caring for them?
8. And, lastly, where you will you find your companion animal? I would strongly recommend checking local shelters and rescues, which is where we’ve found all of our dogs over the years. Over a million animals are euthanized every year in the US, mainly because a home could not be found for them. And be honest, pedigree dogs, from breeders, say, can be higher-maintenance than some mutt from the local shelter – and that dog is likely to love you all the more because you rescued him. Remember, you’re looking for a companion to help you with your depression – not a show dog that will cause you even more stress.

And if you’re not a dog person, other pets can provide some, but not necessarily all, of the above benefits. For example, a cat may not need exercising, and may not be as good a way of meeting new people, but they will still be dependent on you (to a lesser degree than dogs, perhaps), and can still offer companionship.

Additional Resources

These are suggestions for those who wish to delve deeper into any of the above:

1. Find A Pet