A team from the University of Maryland (USA) reported findings that specifically concern older adults. That’s important because cognitive abilities are often most affected by age-related decline.
What the Researchers Found
The study found that having a cat or dog not only brings joy but may also protect brain health.
Cognitive decline is common with age, affecting thinking, memory, learning, and problem-solving. The study showed that owning a cat or dog can slow that decline.
The benefit was strongest when owners regularly walked their pets — primarily dog walking, since cat owners are less likely to take their pets for walks.
How the Study Was Conducted
The team analyzed data from 637 people aged 51 to 101 years.
Eleven percent owned cats and 13 percent owned dogs. Over the past decade cognitive function declined for all participants, but the decline was slower among those who owned cats or dogs, the Daily Mail reported.
Two-thirds of dog owners said they regularly walked their dogs. Those owners showed a slower decline in cognitive function than dog owners who didn’t walk their pets.
The report found that, over ten years, “memory, executive and language functions, psychomotor speed, and information processing speed” declined less among pet owners than non-owners.
Cat owners, meanwhile, showed a smaller decline in memory and language.
The study suggests the effect may come from pet owners having lower stress, feeling more relaxed, and paying more attention to the outside world.
Previous studies have shown that interacting with animals helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, having a dog can foster a beneficial habit of regular physical activity through daily walks.
The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
