Are pets good for brain health?

Owning a pet can reduce brain aging by up to 15 years.

As an animal lover and pet owner, pets have been good to me. They help us live a healthier life. They gently wake us up and remind us that it's time for breakfast or playtime. They are always so happy when we get home after a long day. They provide non-judgmental companionship, unconditional love and support, reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood, and help maintain our well-being. Because mental health directly impacts brain function, all these factors also tend to improve cognitive function.

Research has shown an adjunct role for animals in the treatment of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, autism, and dementia. Animal-assisted therapy is also frequently used to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions.

I'm a neuropsychologist, so I was wondering if there were any studies on the effects pets have on the human brain. I was surprised by one thing, but the results were interesting. A 2022 study by Jennifer Applebaum and colleagues investigated the link between continued pet ownership and cognitive performance in older adults. Target participants are adults aged 65 and over who have owned a pet for more than five years but less than five years, and people who do not own a pet.

The results showed that study subjects who owned pets for more than five years had better short-term and delayed word recall scores than those who did not own pets. I concluded that talking to my pet is a good mental exercise for me.

An Alabama study (McDonough, J. et al., 2022) investigated the effects of pet ownership on cognition and brain health. The Alabama Brain Study on Dementia Risk included 95 adult subjects between the ages of 20 and 74. Fifty-six subjects were pet owners and 39 were not. Subjects completed a neuropsychological evaluation and MRI session.

As a result, pet ownership is associated with higher levels of cognition (better processing speed, attentional direction, narrative memory) and larger brain structures (dorsal attention, limbic system, default mode network). It was shown that These effects were greatest among dog owners and older adults with multiple pets. Researchers also concluded that owning a pet can reduce brain age by up to 15 years.

A recent study published in Japan (Toniquchi, Y. et al., 2023) investigated the impact of dog and cat ownership on the development of dementia in Japanese elderly communities. This was a large study involving 11,194 older adults. The results showed that owning a dog has the effect of suppressing the onset of dementia, especially if the dog owner has a habit of exercising and is not socially isolated. Cat ownership showed no protective factor in this study. However, Australian researchers (Straede, C., Gates, R., 1993) found that cat owners may be less mentally ill and have generally more favorable attitudes toward their pets. I discovered.

In conclusion, this study shows that pets are generally good for our body and brain health. If you can and can afford it, visit your local animal shelter and find your “best friend.” Helps you live a healthier life.

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