Pets Have A Beneficial Effect On Your Brain Health, Scientists Say

According to a new study, having a pet can help to prevent memory loss and cognitive deterioration.

A report by CNBC has shown that a preliminary study published Thursday by University of Michigan researchers links pet ownership to five or more years of delayed brain aging in those aged 65 and up.

Dr. Tiffany Braley of the University of Michigan Medical Center shared that previous research has revealed that the human-animal link may have health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and stress, and that the results imply "pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline."

The study followed 1,300 older persons who began with normal cognitive abilities, 53% of whom owned pets, and 32% of whom described themselves as long-term pet owners.

Over the course of six years of evaluating cognitive functions, researchers discovered that pet owners' cognitive skills deteriorated slower than non-pet owners' - and even more slowly for long-term owners.

Men, Black individuals, and seniors with a college education were also found to benefit substantially by owning a pet.

Experts claim that having a pet can provide a variety of other mental benefits, such as social connection and a sense of duty and purpose.

On a cognitive level, those who had dogs for five years or more benefited the most.

"To our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate the influence of pet ownership length on cognitive health," said Jennifer Applebaum, a doctorate candidate in sociology at the University of Florida.

Fish, birds, rabbits, hamsters, and reptiles were among the animals cared for in the survey, but "dogs were most popular," according to Applebaum, "followed by cats."

Although the study could not find a clear link between pet ownership and cognition, Braley claims that previous research has demonstrated the harmful consequences of stress on the brain.

"Previous research has also found links between interactions with companion animals and physiological markers of stress reduction, such as lower cortisol levels and blood pressure, which could have an influence on cognitive health in the long run," she said.

Researchers, according to Applebaum, do not encourage purchasing pets as a kind of "therapeutic intervention," but do recommend that those who already have pets be assisted in "preserving them via public policy and community partnerships."

This includes abolishing pet fees from rental properties and lowering the cost of vet services.