Dogs: Companions for life

The Bottom Line

  • Adopting a pet breaks social isolation and provides caring and loving companionship to seniors. Caring for an animal promotes overall well-being and helps you stay active.
  • Having a dog is associated with a lower risk of long-term death, which is likely due to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
  • Your dog can provide important benefits for healthy aging by helping to improve certain lifestyle habits.

"Man's best friend" is a common phrase referring to the close relationship of loyalty and friendship between dogs and humans. Some dogs even play crucial roles with people who have health conditions. Just think of guide dogs for the visually impaired, or assistance dogs for people with a physical disability, or those with diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorders or Alzheimer's: there is no denying that dogs are excellent companions.

The physical and psychological health benefits of owning a dog appear to be numerous. Indeed, several studies indicate that owning a dog is associated with a lower risk of asthma and cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and stress, as well as improved well-being, alleviation of social isolation and increased physical activity. A recent Canadian study revealed that dog owners appear to have enjoyed better mental health since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.(1)

But does owning a dog lead to a longer, healthier life?

What research tells us

A recent systematic review of 10 studies, examining data on more than three million participants between 1950 and 2019, examined the long-term survival of older adults who are dog owners.(2)

The review finds that having a dog is associated with a 24% reduction in the risk of death from all causes. Better yet: in people who have had coronary events in the past (for example, a heart attack), living in a house with a dog is associated with an even more pronounced reduction in the risk of death from all causes. In addition, when researchers narrowed the analyzes to studies assessing mortality from cardiovascular problems, having a dog conferred a 31% reduction in the risk of death.

How to explain such a reduction in the risk of mortality? The reduction in the risk of mortality for dog owners is possibly due to a reduction in cardiovascular deaths. Dog owners are physically active because they have to walk their pets every day. They are therefore less likely to develop diabetes, have a lower resting heart rate and a better stress response. This means that increased physical activity is associated with a lower risk of death and heart problems.

In addition, having a dog has beneficial social and psychological effects for the elderly. For example, compared to other activities, simply petting a dog lowers blood pressure. In addition, since many older adults live alone, the presence of an animal helps to break loneliness and create interactions with other people during walks, thus promoting better well-being and healthy aging.

Adopting a dog: a decision not to be taken lightly

Adopting a dog can be rewarding,  but also challenging, especially for older adults who may have limited income, or who have serious health or mobility issues.

Adopting a dog is not a decision to be taken lightly:

  • Be realistic about your responsibilities: Can you take care of the dog, feed it, and take him to the vet? Can you take it out for a walk, summer or winter?
  • Be realistic about your health status: Do you have any allergies? Could a dog increase your risk for falls?
  • Think about your living environment: Are dogs allowed in your apartment or residence?
  • Plan for the future: Who will take care of your dog if you need to be hospitalized or cannot take care of it?
  • Explore the dog breed that might be right for you: What is the best dog breed for you, for your personal circumstances?
  • Examine the dog's temperament: Dogs, like humans, have temperaments (calm or energetic, docile or dominant, etc.). Is your temperament (or your lifestyle) suitable for a specific dog?

Get the latest content first. Sign up for free weekly email alerts.
Subscribe
Author Details

References

  1. Legault JB. Les chiens aident à la santé mentale. La Presse, December 20, 2021.
  2. Kramer CK, Mehmood S, Suen RS. Dog ownership and survival: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2019 Oct;12(10):e005554.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.