Cat and dog owners tend to experience slower cognitive decline than those who don’t have pets, according to the latest research released by the University of Maryland.
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports in September, examined the data of 637 participants aged between 51 and 101 years old.
Of the participants, 185 were pet owners, with 11% owning cats and 13% owning dogs.
The research showed that over the span of a decade, those who had the pets experienced “less decline in cognitive function as they aged, after considering both their pre-existing health and age.”
This included memory function, language function and psychomotor speed.
“Cat owners experienced less deterioration in memory and language function. Dog walking also was associated with slower deterioration in cognitive function,” the authors of the study added.
Owning dogs can also lead to an increase in physical activity through their need to be taken out for daily exercise, which is known to be beneficial for health, they added.
Previous studies have shown that interacting with pets can also provide other benefits, including lowering the risk of heartdisease and regulating blood pressure.
The researched said they hoped that policy makers would use their findings to “support inclusion of pets in care plans, designing housing and neighbourhoods for seniors that are friendly for dog walking, and developing programs to support pet ownership.”
Millions of people view pets as family and count on their unconditional love. While it’s hard to put a value on the human-animal bond and what it means for so many of us, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) commissioned a new economic impact report which gives us a partial answer – pet ownership saves the U.S. health care system $22.7 billion every year.
The Health Care Cost Savings Report was made possible by a grant from Banfield Pet Hospital.
Access the full Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership Report here.
Key Findings
The report not only reflects better overall health for pet owners in the form of fewer doctor visits per year, but also tracks specific savings for reduced obesity, reduced infections, and better mental health for children, seniors, and our nation’s veterans. For each of these populations, there exists solid evidence supporting the benefits of pet ownership.
$15 billion
Looking at a key measure of general health, pet owners are estimated to visit the doctor less than non-pet owners on an annual basis producing a costs savings of $15 billion.
$4.5 billion
Dog owners who regularly walk their dogs have lower levels of obesity, leading to a $4.5 billion reduction in health care spending.
$90.5 million
Pet ownership correlates to a 14% reduction of C. difficile reinfection cases for hospitalized individuals with a treatment cost savings of $90.47 million.
$672 million
Children (ages 8-10) in households with a dog have a9% lower probability of having a clinical diagnosis of anxiety. Dog ownership can therefore be linked to $672 million in annual mental health care cost savings.
$1.8 billion
Older Americans with pets are less likely to suffer from health maladies connected to loneliness and social isolation, lowering annual Medicare spending by an estimated $1.8 billion.
$688 million
Overall spending on treatment for PTSD is projected to be $688 million lower for veterans with service animals and emotional support animals.
$22.7 billion
In total,pet ownership saves the U.S. health care system $22.7 billion every year.
For more details on these key findings please see the Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership infographic.
Report Methodology
The report was co-authored by Terry L. Clower, PhD and Tonya E. Thornton, PhD, MPPA, both of whom have extensive expertise in economic and public policy research. Their analysis not only reflects savings from better overall health for pet owners in the form of fewer doctor visits per year, but also tracks specific savings for key public health issues affecting millions of Americans, including reduced obesity, reduced infections, and better mental health for children, seniors, and our nation’s veterans.
Using the methodology employed in the 2015 analysis and adapted for more recent health care services consumption and cost information, pet ownership rates, and population increase, the researchers examined the scientifically-documented health benefits of pet ownership; identified the populations receiving these benefits; and quantified the avoided health care costs for those populations. To do this, the authors first conducted a review of relevant, peer-reviewed academic and professional literature regarding the health benefits of pet ownership. The most recent cost estimates for health services and treatments related to the health conditions identified in the literature review were identified based on an examination of publicly available health care cost data. Pet ownership data was also identified from publicly available sources. The estimated savings to the U.S. healthcare system associated with pet ownership were calculated using these inputs. An additional discussion of identified health benefits associated with pet ownership for which cost savings calculations could not be made was also included in the report.
Downloads
Download the full Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership Report here
The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation has released the findings of a survey revealing the views of the family physician (also known as the GP) on the benefits of pets to health.
An online panel survey of 1,000 family doctors and general practitioners explored the doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding the human health benefits of pets. The 28-question survey was conducted in August 2014 with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The physicians in the survey had a median of 18 years in professional practice.
Key findings included:
69% of doctors have worked with animals in a hospital, medical center or medical practice to assist patient treatment
88% believe that interaction with pets improves a patient’s physical condition
97% believe that interaction with pets improves mental health condition
78% found that interaction with animals helped to improve the relationships of patients with staff
97% of doctors reported that they believe there were health benefits resulting from pet ownership
75% of doctors said they saw health improve in one or more patients as a result of pet ownership
The survey also revealed that while 69% of doctors at least occasionally discussed the health benefits of pets with patients, 56% identified ‘time constraints’ as the largest barrier to having these discussions.
“The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative funds research on the evidence-based health benefits on human-animal interaction, and this survey demonstrates that we are on the right track” said HABRI Executive Director Steven Feldman.
“HABRI hopes that this survey will help break down the barriers and get more doctors and their patients talking about the important, scientifically-validated health benefits of pets.”
I was warming up to Pope Francis and his papacy until last week. Vatican Radio reported that fifteen couples, with between 25 and 60 years’ experience in marriage, were in attendance to hear the Pope decree that part of their duties were to abide by fruitfulness – that is to have children. He said:
“These marriages, in which the spouses do not want children, in which the spouses want to remain without fertility. This culture of well-being from ten years ago convinced us: ‘It’s better not to have children! It’s better! You can go explore the world, go on holiday, you can have a villa in the countryside, you can be care-free…it might be better – more comfortable – to have a dog, two cats, and the love goes to the two cats and the dog. Is this true or is this not? Have you seen it? Then, in the end this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness. It is not fruitful, it does not do what Jesus does with his Church: He makes His Church fruitful.”
Pope Francis seemed to be warming to the role of dogs in our lives with the blessing last year of a guide dog owned by a visually-impaired radio journalist…
But this latest directive is a step backwards. I think in a world that is overpopulated by humans, this attitude is misguided. There are many people (some with, and some without, children) who devote their lives to the care of God’s creatures. We should not pass judgment on their life choices.
Research conducted at Case Western Reserve University has revealed the positive impact that pet ownership has on women who are managing HIV/AIDS.
Dr Allison Webel set out to understand how women manage their HIV/AIDS and stay on track to take their medications, follow doctors’ orders and live healthy lifestyles. She found that “Pets—primarily dogs—gave these women a sense of support and pleasure.”
The human and animal bond in healing and therapy is being recognized, Webel said, as more animals are visiting nursing homes to connect to people with dementia or hospitals to visit children with long hospital stays.
Dr Webel talks about her research in this YouTube video:
DoggyMom.com 