Pet Ownership Slows Cognitive Decline in Aging

A longitudinal study of older adults found that pet owners, particularly dog owners who walked their dogs, experienced slower cognitive decline compared to non-owners. The study analyzed data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and included measures of pet ownership, cognitive function tests, and assessments of cognitive impairment. Results showed that pet owners had a decelerated decline in cognitive function, particularly in memory, executive function, language function, psychomotor speed, and processing speed. Dog owners who walked their dogs also had slower cognitive decline. However, the study design does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship, and the sample consisted of individuals with better socio-economic status and cognitive functioning.