No bones about it: as many pet owners know, our furry family members bring an abundance of joy, companionship, and unconditional love to our lives. But the benefits may go well beyond emotional support. In fact, multiple studies have shown that having a pet may not only do wonders for your heart and your overall health, but also helps to extend your lifespan.
For example, a study by the American Heart Association found that owning a pet, particularly a dog (largely because of their need for walks), was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US.
Further research, reported by Science Daily, found that owning a pet was associated with increased survival rates for heart attack and stroke survivors. And when it comes to boosting lifespan, a Swedish study published in Scientific Reports revealed that dog owners had a reduced risk for not just heart disease but of all-cause mortality.
While much of the research looks at how dog ownership can boost longevity, let’s not overlook our feline friends! As reported here, a 2020 study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, showed that people who owned cats also had a reduced risk of dying from a cardiovascular event.
The Pet-Longevity Link
“Pet owners are less likely to die,” according to Harvard Medical School clinical assistant professor Beth Frates, citing the American Heart Association’s finding that owning a pet reduces a person’s mortality rate by 24 percent.
So, what, exactly, are the healthy perks of pet ownership — or if you don’t own a pet, even just being around companion animals? According to medical experts, it can:
- Reduce stress and blood pressure: Petting a dog or cat, or even just making eye contact with them, releases feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and lowers the levels of stress hormones like cortisol. According to a survey reported on Johns Hopkins Medicine, a whopping 84 percent of post-traumatic stress disorder patients who teamed up with a service dog reported a significant reduction in symptoms, while 40 percent were able to decrease their medications. Keeping long-term stress at bay can also lower your risk for other conditions like high blood pressure, depression, and heart disease.
- Help you get moving: Owning a pet, especially a dog, encourages regular exercise. Daily walks, playtime, and outdoor activities with your furry friend help increase physical activity levels. Studies have shown that dog owners tend to engage in more physical activity and have a lower risk of obesity, leading to a lower risk of age-related chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
- Boost mental health: As reported here, research suggests that pet owners enjoy better self-esteem and sense of purpose, with one study even reporting “that pets provided greater social support than humans in mitigating depression.”
- Reduce social isolation and loneliness: Pets are fantastic icebreakers and conversation starters. Whether it’s at the dog park or during a casual stroll in your neighborhood, pets can lead to meaningful connections with other pet owners and like-minded people. As we’ve reported here and in our book SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old, attachment — maintaining relationships and forming new ones — is a vital component to longevity. That’s because social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of high blood pressure, a weaker immune system, depression and anxiety, and even cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
In other words, in a myriad of ways, from our health to our happiness, our furry friends just may be the friends that keep us young.