This Article is Written and/or Reviewed by RefluxMD Medical Authors Team and Reviewers

GERD is a difficult condition to live with, though several lifestyle changes can improve your symptoms and make it easier to live with Acid Reflux. RefluxMD has recommended many strategies in addition to lifestyle changes to reduce GERD symptoms including, adopting a GERD-friendly diet, maintaining a healthy weight, experimenting with home remedies, use the least powerful medication that provides symptom relief, and partnering with a GERD expert. For many, owning a dog also allows you to enjoy some benefits naturally. Simply taking care of an active animal like a dog can improve health and outlook, both of which can help you with your GERD. 

Stress Reduction

While stress is not an underlying cause of GERD, it certainly can create symptoms for those suffering from Acid reflux. Brian Hare, an associate professor of cognitive neuroscience at Duke University, dogs make people feel good:

Research has shown that when humans interact with dogs, oxytocin levels increase in both species. “When parents look at their baby and their baby stares into their eyes, even though the baby can’t talk, parents get an oxytocin boost just by eye contact,’’ Hare says. “Dogs have somehow hijacked this oxytocin bonding pathway so that just by making eye contact, or by playing and hugging our dog, the oxytocin in both us and our dog goes up. This is why dogs are wonderful in any kind of stressful situation.’’

Regular Exercise

One of the biggest benefits of owning a dog if you have GERD is that it forces you to get out on regular walks one or more times a day. Moderate exercises, like walking or yoga, have been proven to be very beneficial for those who suffer from acid reflux. The main reasons for this are because it is a low-impact method of getting in shape/weight loss and walking helps with digestion. Maintaining a healthy weight has been proven to help alleviate symptoms and walking in particular is a very gentle method to choose. 

Unlike other higher impact and strenuous activity options, like running or biking, walking is less likely to aggravate your GERD, allowing you to enjoy being active without unintended side effects. Most people don’t have a reason to go on long walks by themselves, but with a dog, you not only need to do it at least once a day, but you will often end up wanting to go further because of your furry companion enjoys it. 

Comfort 

Dog owners frequently enjoy the comfort that their dog provides and that is particularly true for those with health conditions. It is not nice to go through acid reflux alone, and yet that is the reality many who have GERD must live with, even if they don’t live alone. With an animal companion, you don’t need to worry about bothering your roommate or worry about who you can go to when seeking comfort. Your dog will likely be by your side for cuddles to help you through the worse of your acid reflux. 

Routine 

Looking outside of yourself is also very beneficial for those with GERD. If you have something else to focus on, you can keep your mind off your acid reflux as much as possible. Feeding them, building a healthy routine, and walking them regularly, however, is just the start of the care they need. A dog with separation anxiety needs a whole different set of routines to help them cope when you cannot bring them with you. 

Working out how to best care for your lovely companion is a challenge you can set your mind on. Work out how to best care for your dog, improve your health, and have a companion to help you emotionally with your GERD. 

Never underestimate the power of companionship and healthy routines to help with chronic conditions like GERD. You need to stay as fit and healthy as possible, and that is what a dog can help you with. On top of that, they can also provide the support and focus you need to get through your acid reflux. It’s the best type of relationship, which is why it’s no wonder many consider their dog to be their best friend.

Resources used for this article

How to Help a Dog with Anxiety, Signs & Symptoms,  staff writers, CeeBeeDoo, https://ceebeedoo.com/blogs/news/how-to-help-a-dog-with-anxiety-signs-symptoms-ceebeedoo-com

Your dog can make you feel better, and here’s why, By Marlene Cimons, The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/your-dog-can-make-you-feel-better-and-heres-why/2016/09/19/fde4aeec-6a2a-11e6-8225-fbb8a6fc65bc_story.html

How Exercising Can Relieve Your Acid Reflux, staff writers, Digestive Health Services, https://dighealth.org/blog/how-exercising-can-relieve-your-acid-reflux/#:~:text=More%20moderate%20and%20low%20impact,both%20GERD%20and%20acid%20reflux.