Adriana Rostekova, a researcher at the lifespan developmental psychology research group at the University of Geneva, recently led a study that made some surprising discoveries. The study’s findings suggest dog and cat ownership is associated with a slower decline in cognitive function in later life. The internationally acclaimed journal Nature took up their publication. Their recent study featured in the Journal of Gerontology shows how owning pets can boost older adults’ cognitive health.
Rostekova’s study was based on eight waves of the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe. She laid the groundwork by studying adults 50 and older for an unprecedented 18-year span. The study looked at the role of pet ownership on cognitive decline specifically. It found that having a furry friend aids in slowing the decline in cognitive ability compared to people who don’t have pets.
The lead author posited that owning pets, particularly dogs and cats, could play a significant role in maintaining specific brain functions as people grow older. “Pet ownership has been linked to a positive influence on cognitive functioning and cognitive decline in late adulthood,” she stated. Pets like dogs and cats offer close social companionship and cognitive engagement that few, if any, other species can. It’s likely that unique bond is born out of those experiences.
In her meta-analysis, Rostekova speculated that the ownership of fish or birds has no significant relationship with cognitive decline. She explained, “Several explanations may help explain the absence of this association in fish and bird owners, despite the reports of their ownership’s positive influence on wellbeing in ways that are usually associated with cognitive benefits.”
Rostekova elaborated further, stating, “A fish or bird’s short lifespan may potentially limit the level of emotional connection one is able to develop with the pet fish.” She noted that having pet birds could reduce your sleep quality. Their resultant noise pollution has been independently shown to contribute to cognitive decline.
The findings suggest that the overall pattern of pet ownership significantly depends on having a dog or cat, rather than pets in general. “The key novelty of our study was that we found notable differences between the species,” Rostekova emphasized.
The impact of this research goes beyond personal health, contributing to a rethinking on how society should approach health and wellness. Andrew Scott, an expert in health systems, remarked on this shift: “We tend to think of health as being about disease and hospitals but as we live longer and need to focus on preventive measures that keep us healthy for longer, we will discover that the health system extends well beyond doctors and hospitals.”
