Get a Pet!

The Impact of a Furry Friend on Health

QUESTION: I have always loved my pets, but I was surprised to see a news report claiming pets could improve health of humans. Is that true?

ANSWER: In my book Fit Over 50: Make Simple Choices for a Healthier, Happier You, my co-author, Dr. Phil Bishop, and I had a chapter on this not-so-surprising finding that we titled, “Get a Pet—or Two!” Here’s an updated adaptation if what we wrote:

About two-thirds of U.S. households own at least one pet, with about 44 percent having a dog and 35 percent a cat. Millions of pet owners in America attest to the joy and companionship their animals provide and know how much their animal friend improves their quality of life. But did you know there are lots of other benefits of pet ownership? The CDC reports that the bond between people and their pets can:

• increase fitness due to increased exercise;
• lower stress, perhaps in part due to increased outdoor activities;
• decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels; and
• decrease feelings of loneliness and increase opportunities for socialization.

Owning a dog may prolong your life

Other research shows owning a dog may prolong your life and reduce your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, boost your immune system, improve your fitness, reduce obesity, and reduce stress. In older folks, dog ownership is associated with reduced social isolation and improved perception of well-being. Dog parks are becoming more prevalent, so taking your dog to the park offers opportunities for socialization, which is vital for everyone!

One study followed more than 2,500 older adults for three years and found that those who regularly walked their dogs “walked faster and for longer time periods each week than others who didn’t walk regularly,” and “older dog walkers also had greater mobility inside their homes than others in the study.” Another study of adults who had suffered a heart attack reported that a year later, “dog owners were significantly more likely to still be alive than were those who did not own dogs, regardless of the severity of the heart attack.”

Cat owners also have  a decreased risk of premature death

There has been less research on cat owners, but one study concluded that cat owners had a decreased risk for death due to cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart attack and stroke). The researchers suggested that acquiring a cat “may represent a novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals.” Cats offer other benefits, including lower blood pressure and heart rate, and decreased stress levels. Another study reported that cats contribute to better psychological health as cat ownership is associated with improved moods, increased feelings of well-being, and, like dogs, can provide companionship, particularly for those experiencing loneliness or social isolation.

If you don’t have a pet, should you get a dog or a cat? One study comparing cat and dog owners reported, “The main finding was that owning a dog demonstrated several health-related characteristics to a higher positive degree than both non-pet and cat ownership. For example, cat owners showed higher body mass index values and higher systolic blood pressure and reported worse general health status. They also exercised to a lower degree. However, the study authors admitted that the results may have been due to unrelated confounding factors. However, at least one other study of older people also found that cat owners had a higher BMI, less activity, and shorter duration of activity than dog owners. The authors speculated this was because dog owners usually walk with their pets at least twice a day.

There are downsides to pets

There can also be a downside to pets. The Harvard Health Letter warns:

It’s not always easy caring for pets, however, and sometimes having them in the home poses health hazards older adults. If you have problems with gait and stability, and your pet can get under your feet or jump up and knock you over, then falls and broken bones are a real danger. There are also sanitary risks associated with pet ownership. Animals can carry parasites that can be transferred to humans. Animal feces carry all kinds of bacteria that can make you sick. Dogs and cats can also cause allergic reactions in some pet owners.

It’s important to note that the likelihood of catching a disease from your pet is low, particularly if precautions are taken. Nevertheless, what can you do to prevent pet-related infections? Here are some suggestions:

• Wash your hands. Hygiene is key to preventing pet-related infections. After coming into contact with pets, their saliva, or their feces, wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water.
• Pick up and dispose of feces. Quickly disposing of your pet’s feces, particularly in areas where children play, can prevent the spread of disease to humans and other animals. Wash your hands after doing so.
• Avoid scratches and bites. Minimize the risk of infections from pet bites and scratches by avoiding them in the first place. But if you are scratched, clean the wound immediately with warm, soapy water.
• Get your pet vaccinated and evaluated. Visit a veterinarian regularly to ensure your pet is healthy and up to date with required vaccinations.

Before getting a pet, 

consider if you’re physically and mentally able to care for it.

The Harvard Health Letter also advises:

Before getting a pet, consider if you’re physically and mentally able to care for it. Do you have the energy, strength, and mobility to feed it, play with it, clean up after it, and, in the case of dogs, take it for twice-daily walks? Do you have the financial means to pay for pet food and visits to the veterinarian? The average pet owner spends about $500 to $1,600 per year on each pet’s care.

If you feel you have the physical, mental, and financial means to care for a pet, consider the pet’s size—not too big and not too small. Avoid puppies, which require a great deal of training, time, and energy—just like having a new baby. And consider the animal’s personality. You don’t want a dog that will bark all night or have a lot of separation anxiety if you leave the house.

A rescue pet or a store pet?

Consider finding a rescue pet to adopt. Animal welfare organizations strongly advise against buying or adopting pets from pet stores. This is because pet stores often obtain their animals from puppy mills and kitten mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of the animals. These facilities typically house animals in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with inadequate veterinary care. In addition:

• Adopting from a pet shelter or rescue organization helps reduce demand for animals from unethical breeding facilities.
• While pet store puppies and kittens are often young, shelters and rescues offer a variety of ages, breeds, and temperaments. Adopting a pet from a shelter often allows for a better understanding of the animal’s health and personality.
• Adoption fees are generally lower than the purchase price of a pet store animal and often include vaccinations and other initial care.
• Shelters and rescue organizations often provide resources and support to help with the transition of a new pet into a home.

However, as the website “Best Friends” points out, “As awareness of the connection between puppy mills and puppies sold for profit continues to grow, pet stores across the country are changing the way they do business. Instead of selling puppies who come from inhumane puppy mills and supporting their cruel breeding practices, many stores are now partnering with local shelters and rescue groups to offer homeless pets for adoption.” They provide a list of humane pet stores in each state here.

As kids, many of us had pets for myriad reasons, but what we didn’t realize was that these pets likely enhanced our health! They still can. So, if you don’t currently have a pet, give it thought—it just might help your health too.

This article is excerpted from Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices for a Healthier, Happier You, authored by Dr. Walt and Dr. Phil Bishop, published by Harvest House, © 2019, used with permission.