Pets are not only adorable companions, but also potential protectors of your cognitive health. A new study suggests that owning a pet, especially for five years or longer, may be linked to slower cognitive decline in older adults.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan Medical Center and presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 74th Annual Meeting in Seattle, analyzed the cognitive data of 1,369 older adults with an average age of 65 who had normal cognitive skills at the start of the study. Of these participants, 53% owned pets, and 32% were long-term pet owners, defined as those who owned pets for five years or more.
The researchers used various tests to measure the cognitive function of the participants over a six-year period, such as subtraction, numeric counting and word recall. They then calculated a composite cognitive score for each person, ranging from zero to 27. The results showed that over six years, cognitive scores decreased at a slower rate in pet owners than in non-pet owners. This difference was strongest among long-term pet owners, who had a cognitive score 1.2 points higher on average than non-pet owners.
The study suggests that pet ownership may have a positive effect on brain health, possibly by reducing stress, increasing physical activity, and enhancing social interaction.
The Factors That Influence the Cognitive Impact of Pets
The study also found that the cognitive benefits associated with longer pet ownership were stronger for certain groups of people, such as Black adults, college-educated adults and men. The researchers speculated that these groups may face more stress or isolation in their lives, and that pets may provide them with more support and comfort.
However, the study did not examine the type of pets owned by the participants, nor the quality of their relationship with their pets. It is possible that different kinds of pets may have different effects on cognitive function, depending on their personality, behavior, and needs. For example, dogs may require more physical activity and social interaction than cats, which may influence the cognitive health of their owners differently.
Moreover, the study did not account for other factors that may affect cognitive function, such as diet, lifestyle, medication, and genetics. Therefore, it is not clear whether pet ownership is the cause or the consequence of slower cognitive decline. It is possible that people who are more cognitively healthy may be more likely to own pets, or that people who own pets may adopt healthier habits that benefit their brain.
The Implications and Limitations of the Study
The study is one of the first to explore the link between pet ownership and cognitive function in older adults, and it adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests that the human-animal bond may have various health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, improving mood, and enhancing immunity.
However, the study is also preliminary and observational, meaning that it cannot prove causation, only correlation. More research is needed to confirm the findings and to identify the underlying mechanisms and factors that mediate the relationship between pet ownership and cognitive health.
The study also relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias. Additionally, the study had a limited sample size and diversity, as most of the participants were white, well-educated, and relatively healthy. Therefore, the results may not be generalizable to other populations or settings.
The study does not imply that owning a pet is a magic bullet for preventing or reversing cognitive decline, nor that non-pet owners are doomed to suffer from dementia. Rather, it suggests that owning a pet may be one of the many factors that contribute to maintaining or improving cognitive function in older adults, along with other healthy habits and interventions.
