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The nuclear family consists of parents and their (human) children — but if you live with a pawed pupper like 65.1 million other Americans, nobody can tell you that your dog isn’t an equal member of the bunch.
The dog is as much a family member as a human in households these days. Why? Well, it turns out we’re hard-wired to treat our furry friends as members of the family. And there’s a lot of science behind it!
Let’s dive into the reasons why dogs are now considered family.
Believe it or not, our affinity with our canine commandos goes back 15,000 years. Long ago, our ancestors lived in tribes and were always on the lookout for wolves. Besides being hunter-gatherers, our ancestors were nomadic, moving from one area to another.
With each relocation, they’d leave some scraps behind, and these were enough to attract wolves. Over time, our ancestors noticed that they were being followed, threw their hands up in the air, and just said “What the heck! Let’s just keep feeding them and bring them along!”
This event marked the domestication of wolves. Over time, wolves became less feral and more domesticated, evolving into the family-friendly furry frolickers we see today!
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who could easily pick between their dogs and their partners — and there’s a chemical basis for this.
History aside, another reason we have a strong bond with our pup platoons is oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that regulates reproductive functions and tightens the bond between parents and children.
We all get shots of oxytocin, and when we do, we get that warm fuzzy feeling, like the one you experience when you’re with your friends or family.
There are many situations that can trigger the release of oxytocin. One is cuddling with or hugging those we love, including our pawed pals.
As any commander of a canine corps would tell you, owning a dog is one of the most psychologically beneficial things you can do. There’s a mountain of literature talking about the benefits of dog ownership, which include:
So, if you haven’t gotten a dog yet, these are just some of the reasons to include one in your family!
Dogs have also been a game-changer for many families, particularly in how they get members of the family to interact. Besides this, dogs and children mix well together because it’s through dog ownership that kids learn responsibility and the value of unconditional love.
Let’s not forget how much healthier you’ll be physically with a canine commando in your ranks. As we all know, dogs need their daily dose of physical activity, often in the form of walks and training. And who has the privilege of taking the pups outside the wire or to the yard? You do!
By taking your dog out on walks, you’re getting your steps in as well, which is an excellent way to improve overall well-being. Not to mention, walking reduces your risk of cardiovascular illness.
As members of the family, be aware that your furry friend is a new player in your dynamics. More specifically, your dog can affect how your family makes decisions, like ones involving vacations, where to move, and even how often you and your better half can go on date nights.
Taking on another member can also mean additional responsibilities, like pet waste removal. Luckily, doggy doo-doo won’t be a deal-breaker when you hire a pooper scooper service (like us).
Dogs as members of the family are changing our long-held ideas on the typical family structure. When we see our furry friends on equal footing as the kids, mom, and dad, the nuclear family structure now becomes what we can call the multi-species family.
Being in a multispecies family is fun, but, as with any bunch, there are bound to be some challenges and responsibilities. For one, you as your pup platoon’s CO may have to make room in the budget for both human and dog food. Besides that, clean-up duty will be another added responsibility, especially when you’ve got more than one dog.
Whatever adjustments you make, just be sure to balance the needs of your family and the canine members of your household.
As you can see, there’s a lot of science backing up dogs being part of the family. As our pawed pals join our households, they make our lives whole, making us healthier individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Of course, every member of the family deserves a clean and healthy space. That’s where we come in.
Contact us at Scoop Soldiers today and let us take care of your pet waste removal needs.
