Our Paws on Tour series continues with a look at the health benefits of owning a pet can have for you.

It’s generally an accepted fact amongst pet owners that having a furry friend immediately improves your life. But it’s not just on a surface level, there are several health benefits come with owning a cat or dog:

Pets decrease your stress

There’s nothing better than coming home and spending time with your furbaby after a long, stressful day, and a 2002 study from the State University of New York, researchers discovered that when conducting a stressful task, owners were calmer when their pet was nearby.

Pets ease your pain

It has been proven that pets can be the best medicine for what ails you. This is because having a pet nearby reduces stress and anxiety, and the less anxiety you have, the less pain you have.

Pets improve your mood

There are several mental and emotional benefits you gain from owning a pet, along with less stress and anxiety, people who have pets also have more laughter and in their life feeling more content.

Pets monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics

If you’re living with diabetes, having a pet might just save your life. Studies have found that one-third of pets living with a diabetic would change their behaviour when their owner’s blood sugar level dropped. This is most likely a reaction to the chemical changes in their owner’s body.

Pets help children develop

It’s not just the owners who reap the benefits of having a pet in the family. Children who grow up in a house with a pet gain several benefits, especially in their emotional development. When a child is attached to a pet, they learn to express themselves in more ways and they learn to relate to something or someone else.

Best dog-friendly sites

Ross Park, Devon

Enjoy a relaxing stay at Ross Park where four-legged friends are welcome for free. Located close to south Devon’s dog-friendly beaches, it offers a range of facilities. Dogs can run free in the off-lead spacious dog walking field and cherry orchard. There’s also conservation fields where dogs can be walked on lead.

The warm dog shower will come in handy after countryside adventures and the tropical conservatory is perfect in the evenings for meals and drinks – and best of all, pets are welcome in here too!

Elie Holiday Park, Fife

Elie Holiday Park is a hidden gem with a fine selection of pitches nestled behind the beach on the Fife Coastal Path and close to many forest walks. The site is also home to the dog-friendly Mirador Café and Takeaway too.

The touring and camping fields are close to the site’s central hub, which includes the Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park, a bar, restaurant, café and games room. Dogs are welcome for free on this campsite too.

Take two

Webbox Tasty Sticks Dog Treats, Beef or Chicken

Making sure that your dog has a treat or two, while keeping them healthy isn’t always easy - but that is where these sTasty Dog Sticks come in. Made with 95% meat including fresh chicken, these tasty treats have been gently cooked to produce a product that your dog will adore.

Each pack comes with five individually wrapped sticks to maintain freshness. They are mess-free, so are ideal to pop in your pocket when out on a walk or for travelling.

RRP £1 for 55g.

Available at all major supermarkets and online www.webbox.co.uk.

Webbox Chomping Chews Dog treats, Beef or Chicken

At Webbox, we know how much our furry friends love to chomp on a moreish treat, so we created our Chomping Chews with chicken that will leave your dog wagging its tail in joy.

Our Chomping Chews are made with 50% fresh meat and are packed with juicy chicken flavours that will leave your dog drooling. We’ve also included the minerals that your dog needs to lead a happy and healthy life, so you’ll be happy to know that even at treat time, your pet will be eating a healthy option.

RRP £1 for 200g. Available at all major supermarkets and online.

Star pet winner

This month’s winner is Odin, the cockapoo sent in by Ena Short

Star pet

We’ve teamed up with leading pet food brand, Webbox, to offer three lucky readers the chance to win a hamper full of Webbox toys and treats for their dog!

Containing a selection of four fun and exciting toy varieties and a selection of tasty treats to keep your pooch happy all year-round. Suitable for all dog breeds and sizes, the hamper includes the ever-popular Beef Tasty Dog Sticks, Beef Chomping Chews, Chicken Sushi, Chicken Twists and Duck Braids.

RRP £15, toy varieties may vary from those shown.

For more information visit www.webbox.co.uk.