Ask any pet owner and they’ll tell you that their furry (or feathery, or scaly) friend is essential to their wellbeing. There’s no denying that a pet can become an irreplaceable part of your family, but does pet ownership actually come with health benefits? Some research suggests it might, especially for older people at risk of cognitive decline (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/can-owning-a-pet-slow-down-cognitive-decline-in-older-adults/).
Why is this important? Well, we know that cognitive function can become impaired as we age, including problems with memory, concentration and language. For some people, the decline is mild, but even this can have a significant impact on quality of life. For others, it will progress into dementia, one of the biggest and fastest-growing threats to people’s health and longevity.
Scientists set out to measure cognitive performance. In one study, this included assessing things like memory and verbal fluency. The first set of data came from 2010 and 2011; the second set was from 2018 and 2019. The evidence suggested that those who owned a pet saw less decline in their cognitive function over time.
Of course, knowing there’s a correlation between pet ownership and cognitive performance doesn’t mean we know why. We have some good theories, though. One is that owning a pet is a good antidote to isolation. There’s lots of evidence that loneliness is a big risk factor for cognitive decline, and if you don’t have friends or family living with you, a pet can become an invaluable companion.
Loneliness can be further alleviated by social interaction, and pets are a good excuse to talk to people. It’s not unusual to strike up random conversations while dog walking or visiting a pet store or groomer.
Walking your pets offers another advantage because it’s a form of exercise. It gets you out of the house in the fresh air, and gets your heart rate raised and your blood pumping. Improving your cardiovascular health has been shown to improve your cognitive wellbeing at the same time.
Another big help for people experiencing cognitive decline? Structure and routine. Feeding, walking, playing, and cleaning up after your pets stops you from stagnating, and it helps give you a sense of purpose.
We might not understand the exact benefits of pet ownership, but it’s certainly worth considering whether improving access to animals can be part of a holistic approach to health.
