Dogs and Longevity: Big Benefits for Those Living Alone

Observational studies across millions suggest dog ownership is linked to lower mortality, including a 24% reduction in overall death risk and a 33% reduction among heart-attack survivors who live alone. Possible reasons include increased physical activity and more social contact from dog walking, but causality can’t be established. The strongest associations appear for people in single-person households, and health decisions about pet ownership should involve a clinician rather than relying on a single study.