Top 10 unexpected benefits of life with a dog

Vitabiotics is proud to partner with Battersea, one of the UK’s leading animal welfare charities. We donate 35p for each SuperDog product sold. With each SuperDog product you buy, you’ll help support Battersea’s vital work for the dogs and cats who need them.

This year, Battersea and Vitabiotics are celebrating 10 years of partnership, a decade of helping dogs live healthier, happier lives. So, in honour of our 10-year milestone, we’ve rounded up 10 unexpected benefits of life with a dog, with some suggestions from Battersea staff and adopters. Whether you’re a long-time dog owner or just starting to think about adopting, these little perks will remind you why life really is better with a dog by your side.

They get you moving

Forget fitness trackers, a dog can be the best workout partner you’ll ever have.

All dogs need a daily walk, but their ideal adventure varies. Some love a long countryside hike, some enjoy a swim, while others are happiest with a trip to the park and some games at home.

The best part is you’re getting active alongside your dog and adding movement, fun, and fresh air to your day too. You might not notice it, but all those walks and play sessions add up to a healthier, happier you.

They’re the ultimate stress relievers

Did you know that just stroking your dog can help relieve stress?

Their presence alone can make everything feel a little better. How could you not feel great while playing fetch, then relaxing on the sofa with your canine companion settled with you?

Looking at a dog alone has been shown to raise levels of oxytocin – the love hormone. We’ve found in the last few years that this goes both ways; our dogs really do love us back.

One Battersea adopter told us, 'After a long day, seeing Baxter’s tail wag when I walk through the door makes me feel loved and leaves me grinning from ear to ear.'

You’ll meet more people

Dogs are natural conversation-starters, we never get tired of talking about our dogs and asking people about theirs! Taking your dog to the park or on a walk often leads to interactions with other dog lovers, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve your social life.

Studies have shown that dog owners are more likely to get to know their neighbours and form friendships through their pets.

They make cities feel a little smaller (and friendlier)

In a busy city, dogs help build real community. You’ll start to recognise faces at your local park, swap tips on the best dog-friendly cafés, and maybe even join a Battersea challenge event. A dog can help you create new and lasting connections.

They teach you routine and responsibility (in the best way)

Like many of us, dogs thrive on structure, and they’ll happily remind you when it’s breakfast time, walk time, or cuddle time. That steady routine can be surprisingly good for humans too.

‘Our previous foster dog, Snow White would always ask for his favourite snack, some carrot around 3pm. It was a routine he was used to from his previous home and helped us make him feel more settled, quickly.’ – a Battersea foster carer

Good care is all about balance a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and the right supplements to support your dog’s wellbeing.

The SuperDog range has been scientifically developed to help safeguard your dog’s diet and to help maintain overall health and wellbeing in dogs of all sizes. SuperDog Health & Vitality provides 25 essential nutrients to complement a balanced diet. For protecting your dog’s joints, SuperDog Health & Vitality includes a combination of joint health ingredients as well as essential vitamins to promote overall wellbeing, help maintain flexibility and keep your dog active.

You might become tidier

Did you know that living with a dog can make you more organised? When you’ve got fur on the floor and toys everywhere, you quickly learn the value of tidying up.

Suddenly you’re vacuuming more, cleaning more often, and maybe even decluttering your space. Who knew dogs could be the secret to a tidier home?

They teach us true empathy

Dogs are very expressive and use their tails, ears and eyes to communicate. Living with them will allow you and your family to learn more about empathy, whether it's noticing their body language, understanding their feelings and responding with love and care.

Whether it’s offering calm during a noisy moment or sharing their excitement by joining in the fun of a game of fetch, dogs teach the whole family that compassion is about truly seeing someone and supporting them through every moment, big or small.

They teach us valuable skills

Training your dog requires time, effort and patience, all transferrable to everything else we do in life.

They can also help us learn to appreciate the little things. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a treat on the beach or a cuddle on the sofa. Our dogs really know how to lead by example when it comes to happiness.

They help you stay healthier than you think

Between the walks, laughter, and love, dogs help boost our wellbeing. Studies show that owning a dog tends to come with a whole host of health benefits for us, with links to lower blood pressure, better moods, and healthier hearts.

And when your dog feels their best, thanks to proper nutrition and a little extra supplement support, you both benefit from the bond.

Rehoming a dog changes two lives, theirs and yours

Giving a dog a second chance in life has so many benefits, and can change our lives for the better too

By welcoming a rescue dog into your life, you are opening yourself to finding a new best friend who will bring lots of love to your home. Read some of Battersea’s rehoming stories to find out how Battersea dogs and cats have proved great additions to their owners' lives. 

10 Years, 10 Reasons - a lifetime of happiness

For 10 years, Battersea and Vitabiotics have worked together to help dogs and their owners lead happier, healthier lives.

Here’s to a decade of partnership, and to the incredible bond between people and dogs that continues to inspire everything we do.

Because when you bring a dog into your life, you gain more than a pet you gain a companion, a motivator, and a daily reminder of what love really looks like.

Together, we’re celebrating 10 years of helping dogs live their happiest, healthiest lives.

*Vitabiotics is proud to be a long-term supporter of Battersea. Vitabiotics donates 35p plus VAT of every pack of SuperDog sold. This will help fund their vital work supporting dogs and cats in their centres and around the world.