How a Pet Can Help You Preserve Brain Power

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Numerous studies have found that dog owners tend to live longer than nonowners. One reason may be that dog walking keeps owners physically active. On average, dog owners walk about 60 minutes more per week than their non–dog-owning counterparts. But cat owners—who don't go on dog walks—also have a lower risk of premature death from a heart attack or stroke and tend to live longer.

Both dog and cat owners tend to be less stressed out. Previous research shows that snuggling with a cat or petting a dog for 10 minutes can lower cortisol levels.

Some, but not all, studies have found a link between pet ownership and lower blood pressure. Owning pets also reduces loneliness and boosts mood. Taken together, the psychological and physical health benefits of human-animal bonds are known as the "pet effect."

Now, a soon-to-be-published study of more than 1,300 older adults reports that long-term pet ownership is linked to slower cognitive decline. This University of Michigan research will be presented at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology's 74th Annual Meeting in April 2022.

Pet Owners Tend to Be Less Lonely, Less Stressed, and More Active

"Prior studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits like decreasing blood pressure and stress," lead author Tiffany Braley of the University of Michigan Medical Center said in a February 2022 press release. "Our results suggest pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline."

For this study, a cohort of older adults (N = 1,369) with an average age of 65 took a series of cognitive tests. After the results were graded, each person was given a composite score ranging from 0 to 27. Then, the researchers compared overall scores between those who owned pets and those who didn't. They also factored in how many months or years someone had owned a pet.

Over six years, the researchers found that, in general, cognitive scores decreased at a much slower rate among pet owners. On average, pet owners' overall cognitive scores were 1.2 points higher than non–pet owners' composite scores. Notably, long-term (>5 years) pet ownership was associated with the slowest rate of cognitive decline.

Stress Reduction, Regular Exercise, and Friendship May Mimic the "Pet Effect"

These findings are correlative and do not show causation. Although long-term pet ownership is correlated with slower cognitive decline, the actual cause for this effect may not be directly linked to owning a pet.

For example, other lifestyle choices that mimic the so-called "pet effect," such as lowering cortisol levels via breathing exercises, cuddling with a romantic partner, or daily walks with a friend (not a dog), might result in similar cognitive benefits.

"As stress can negatively affect cognitive function, the potential stress-buffering effects of pet ownership could provide a plausible reason for our findings," Braley concluded. "A companion animal can also increase physical activity, which could benefit cognitive health. That said, more research is needed to confirm our results and identify underlying mechanisms for this association."

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