Having pets gives you a lot of benefits. Science already proves how much they improve your health mentally and physically.
They lower your risk of having cardiovascular-related death and the journal of the American Heart Association published a study that found dog ownership lowers their risk of dying by 24%. Allergy and Clinical Immunology even found that newborns who live with pets have lowered their risk of having childhood asthma, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. Aside from that, they also lower your anxiety and fear levels.
Now, a new study on dog behavior found another reason to fall in love with them.
Rebecca Forrest, an assistance dog trainer for The Dog Clinic, says pups have another way of showing love and affection. It is when your dog puts his paw on you, which could be his way of saying “I love you.”
“By putting his paw on you whilst you are stroking him, he is further extending contact and reciprocating affection back,” Forrest says.
Aside from expressing his love for you, Forrest suggests your dog pawing at you could also mean he is seeking attention, insecure, hungry, or he just wants more love!
“Look at the rest of your dog’s body language,” Forrest says.
She says if your cozied up on the couch and rubbing his tummy, chances are your dog is just showing some love in return. Signs of anxiety could be lip smacking, yawning and flat ears. She adds that continuous pawing could mean food, but it is best not to respond.
“If you allow your dog to decide when he gets fed, he could become overweight which will impact his health,” Forrest says.
You might want to read:
– Pets are good for your health, study shows
– How to keep you and your pets safe during volcanic ashfall
– Can your pets get coronavirus?
