A paw-sible path to a longer life?
About 43% of US households — especially those run by millennials — own a pooch. Research has long suggested that there are numerous physical and mental benefits to having a furry friend around.
A canine pal could even mean living longer, thanks to its effects on heart health, stress levels and more. But owning a dog doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be fur-ever young.
For one, owning a pet can come with several stressors, such as training obstacles, expensive vet bills and devastating loss.
But being a paw-rent can make you healthier in various ways, with even the American Heart Association (AHA) noting the various upsides — all of which can contribute to a longer life.
A large review of studies published in 2019 linked owning a dog to a 24% lower risk of dying from all causes over the course of a decade.
And a 2019 study from Sweden found that canine ownership was associated with a lower risk of early death from a stroke or heart attack.
Having a pet (cat or dog) has also been tied to lower blood pressure and resting heart rate.
One theory why a dog extends your lifespan is that they can make you more active.
A British study found that they’re roughly four times more likely to meet the UK- and US-recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a week than non-dog owners.
Regular exercise helps with blood sugar control and weight management — even brisk walking can reduce the risk of dying from all causes by 31%.
But you must get your daily steps in alongside your pup, as a 2012 meta-analysis found that while most dog owners who walked their dogs met the standard exercise guidelines, only 60% of owners actually walked them.
Other research has also found that if your dog is unhealthy, you could be too.
Research from 2020 found that if a dog has diabetes, its owners are 38% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who have a non-diabetic dog.
On the flip side, even just petting a four-legged friend can boost your mental health by lowering the stress hormone cortisol and raising the feel-good chemical oxytocin.
And according to a 2022 AHA survey, 95% of pet owners rely on their pooches for stress relief.
Having a dog around can also decrease loneliness, as those who are single or elderly seem to benefit the most from a pet.
Most dog owners, though, tend to be younger, wealthier and more educated than non-owners, which may explain why they often live longer. When these factors are controlled, some research reports that the longevity benefits of dog ownership decrease or vanish.
