On average, dog owners walk one hour more per week compared to non-owners, according to a study that analyzed data from nearly 6,000 Michigan adults[3]. The same study showed that compared to non-owners, the odds of obtaining at least 150 minutes of walking per week were 34 percent higher for dog walkers, and the odds of doing any leisure time physical activity were 69 percent higher. Another study of over 11,000 adults over 40 years of age found that those living with a dog were most likely to be in the highest activity group and least likely to be in the no-activity group, when examining behavior across an 8.5-year period[4].
Similar stress buffering effects of pet ownership have also been found in dog owners[9] and pet owners[10] in general. A systematic review focused on the impact of pets on their owners found that the presence of pets can effectively reduce stress-related parameters[11], such as heart rate and blood pressure, among owners. Physiologically, human-animal interaction triggers the release of certain hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, which play a key role in relaxation and bonding. This heightened relaxation as the result of activated oxytocin release in the presence of pets is what researchers suggest helps protect against stress related illness.
A study of over 2,400 cat owners found that cat owners were significantly less at-risk of dying due to CVD, including stroke and heart attack, compared to non-owners during a 20-year follow-up[8]. The researchers theorized that this independent association between cat ownership and risk of cardiovascular fatality may be related to the buffering effect on stress that cats offer.
While evidence suggests pets can increase social connectedness, a growing body of literature also demonstrates that pet ownership may attenuate loneliness. In one cross-sectional study of over 800 older adults living alone, pet owners were found to be 36 percent less likely to report loneliness than non-owners, and furthermore, non-owners had greater odds of being lonely[17]. According to a nationally representative survey of pet owners and non-owners commissioned by HABRI and Mars Petcare, 85 percent of respondents agree that interaction with pets can help reduce loneliness, with 80 percent of pet owners saying their pet makes them feel less lonely.
Pet ownership has also been shown to facilitate healing following a cardiovascular event. A study using health data from the Swedish National Patient Register found that the risk of death for dog-owning heart attack patients living alone after hospitalization was 33 percent lower compared to non-owners[12]. The risk of death after a stroke was 27 percent lower for dog owners compared to non-owners, according to the same study. The researchers also observed evidence of a lower risk of recurrent heart attacks in dog-owners amongst these study participants. Pet ownership has also been found to regulate cardiovascular activity, including heart rate, even during sleep. In a study of over 200 patients with a coronary artery disease, pet ownership was found to modulate heart activity in owners, leading to less imbalance in autonomic nervous activity. This study also found that these patients had a greater 1-year survival rate than non-owners[13].
Dogs and humans that interact with one another get a jolt of oxytocin, the so-called “cuddle hormone.” And, if you get to look at dogs and hug them every day, you just might live longer than people who dont have to clean animal hair off their clothes, according to a pair of studies out this month.
Weve known forever that owning a dog increases ones physical activity. Regardless of weather, you have to get out and walk the dog. Otherwise, you might be tempted to stay home and watch TV.
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Dr. Dhruv Kazi, a cardiologist and health economist at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, wrote an accompanying editorial for the new studies but was not involved with the research.
I dont, but Ive wanted one for 40 years. I think these studies have finally convinced me to get one. I think weve thought of dogs as a form of comfort, a luxury even. For me, the study forces a rethinking of pets in our society. Weve started out with dogs as accomplices during hunts as hunter-gatherers.
“Having a family pet may assist a person with managing stress, increasing activity and decreasing isolation and loneliness,” Ferdinand said. Ferdinand was not involved with the new study.
By walking a dog 20 to 30 minutes a day, owners meet the American Heart Associations recommended weekly activity of 150 minutes of moderate exercise to improve overall cardiovascular health, he said.
Authors said the studys conclusions could be influenced by other traits, such as avoiding smoking or alcohol.
“The best combination would not only be an active dog owner but also someone who addresses their multiple risk factors,” Ferdinand said.
Scientists found dog owners were likely to live longer than those who didnt have dogs: Dog owners had a 24% risk reduction for death from any cause, according to the study. For people with heart problems, living with a dog had an even greater benefit, authors said.
Dog Owner Life VS. Cat Owner Life
Your kitty quickly becomes an integral part of your family — and it’s possible that she gives back by helping you live longer. Researchers are checking potential correlations between you loving your kitty with all your heart and your heart pumping longer.
In a 20-year study that ended in 2009, neurologist Adnan Qureshi of the University of Minnesota Stroke Institute found that cat owners seemed much less likely to die of heart attack and stroke than people who had never known the love of a cat. Non-cat owners were 40 percent more likely to die of a heart attack and 30 percent more likely to die of another cardiovascular disease, including stroke, than people from cat families. People who owned dogs but no cats didnt enjoy the same benefit — the research showed the heart attack discrepancy only in previous and current cat owners.
A stressful day can be turned around when you come home to the happy face-rubbing of your feline friend. She might even sit still for a few minutes while you stroke her back, and she could perhaps deign to swipe at the toy you dangle over her head. All these actions help the stress melt away by reducing the cortisol, or stress hormone, levels in your brain, notes natural health doctor and Dr. Oz contributor Mao Shing Ni.
As a cat owner, youre less likely to be worried about high blood pressure, according to a study by Australias Baker Medical Research Institute. The research shows pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure than people who dont have pets — even when the pet parents ate a more unhealthy diet.
Cats do more than give you company — they can also keep the doctor away. Cat parents tend to visit the doctor less frequently than non-owners. Whether its the stronger immune system that develops from laughing at your kitty or a physiological increase in secretory immunoglobulin A — part of your immune system — that occurs when you pet your cat, youre likely to avoid common cold more often than non-owners. People with chronic diseases or painful conditions such as fibromyalgia often find purpose in their kitties: a reason to get out of bed and a motivation to be productive. Petting and playing with your cat can distract you from illness and pain when it occurs.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.