A preliminary study from the University of Michigan suggests that owning a pet, such as a dog or cat, for five years or more may be associated with slower cognitive decline in older adults.
"Previous studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and stress," said study author Tiffany Braley, MD, MS, of the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "Our results suggest that pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline."
The study analyzed cognitive data from 1,369 older adults with an average age of 65, all with normal cognitive abilities at baseline. Among participants, 53% owned pets, and 32% were long-term owners (five years or more). The group was 88% white, 7% Black, 2% Hispanic, and 3% other ethnicities or races.
Researchers drew from the Health and Retirement Study, a comprehensive survey of Medicare beneficiaries. Participants completed cognitive tests in subtraction, numerical counting, and word recall, yielding a composite score from 0 to 27. The team examined how years of pet ownership correlated with these scores over time.
Over six years, cognitive scores declined more slowly in pet owners, with the strongest effects in long-term owners. After adjusting for factors influencing cognition, long-term pet owners averaged 1.2 points higher on composite scores than non-owners. Benefits were more pronounced in Black adults, those with higher education, and men. Lead author Braley notes that further research is essential to uncover the mechanisms.
"Since stress can negatively affect cognitive function, the potential stress-buffering effects of pet ownership could be a plausible reason for our findings," Braley explained. "Companion animals may also boost physical activity, supporting brain health. However, more studies are needed to confirm these results and pinpoint underlying factors."
A key limitation: Pet ownership duration was assessed only once, lacking data on continuity.
