The Bond Between Us and Our Dogs

Nearly everyone has shared moments when a household animal transcended the usual role of a pet. Canines earned the title of man's best friend for a reason. Today, more than 60% of Americans share their homes with pets—roughly 77 million dogs, 93 million cats, and countless other species form the backbone of a $45 billion pet market. The joy a companion animal brings simply cannot be measured in dollars, according to a recently released investigation. Through household-based research, psychologists discovered that pets are treated as relatives, and that their owners enjoy beauty advantages comparable to those gained from restful sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity. Although projecting human traits onto an animal can blunt some of those gains, keeping a pet delivers an overall favorable impact. It nudges its owner toward healthier daily habits and encourages richer, more authentic connections with others. Go ahead and give your furry friend an extra scratch behind the ears, and if you've been weighing whether to stop by the pet shop, hop to it!

MORE: The Science Behind Puppy Love!

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Nearly everyone has shared moments when a household animal transcended the usual role of a pet. Canines earned the title of man's best friend for a reason. Today, more than 60% of Americans share their homes with pets—roughly 77 million dogs, 93 million cats, and countless other species form the backbone of a $45 billion pet market. The joy a companion animal brings simply cannot be measured in dollars, according to a recently released investigation. Through household-based research, psychologists discovered that pets are treated as relatives, and that their owners enjoy beauty advantages comparable to those gained from restful sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity. Although projecting human traits onto an animal can blunt some of those gains, keeping a pet delivers an overall favorable impact. It nudges its owner toward healthier daily habits and encourages richer, more authentic connections with others. Go ahead and give your furry friend an extra scratch behind the ears, and if you've been weighing whether to stop by the pet shop, hop to it!

MORE: The Science Behind Puppy Love!