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Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS
Chair, Veterinary Medical Academy, National Academies of Practice; murtdvm.com
Abstract
Objectives:?To examine associations between sustained ownership of a pet and cognitive outcomes among a national sample of U.S. adults.?
Methods:?Weighted linear mixed models were estimated using the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2016,?n?= 1369) to compare repeated measures of cognitive function between respondents who endorsed owning a pet in a sustained manner (>5?years), versus those who owned a pet ≤5?years, and non-pet owners.?
Results:?Respondents aged 65+ who owned a pet >5?years demonstrated higher composite cognitive scores, compared to non-pet owners (β = .76,?p?= .03). Sustained pet ownership was associated with higher immediate (β = .3,?p?= .02) and delayed (β = .4,?p?= .007) word recall scores. There were no significant differences in cognitive scores between pet owners and non-owners aged < 65.?
Discussion:?Sustained ownership of a pet could mitigate cognitive disparities in older adults. Further studies are needed to examine potential causal pathways, including physical activity and stress buffering, versus selection effects.
Applebaum, J. W., Shieu, M. M., McDonald, S. E., Dunietz, G. L., & Braley, T. J. (2022). The Impact of Sustained Ownership of a Pet on Cognitive Health: A Population-Based Study. Journal of Aging and Health. https://doi.org/10.1177_08982643221122641
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