Interacting with humans and other pets may be the key to healthier aging in dogs, surpassing factors such as family finances and time spent with children or an owner’s age.
Recent research suggests the positive impact of social interaction, well-known in human health, extends to our canine companions. As Noah Snyder-Mackler, the study’s lead author from Arizona State University, notes, “Our surroundings and relationships significantly affect our health. Animals with solid social bonds tend to have longer, healthier lives.”
This study, appearing in Evolution, Medicine & Public Health, surveyed over 21,000 dog owners and discovered that the biggest positive influence on dog health was social companionship with humans and other animals. Interestingly, this impact was five times more potent than other factors they studied, such as household income, the presence of children, or the age of the dog’s owner.
Originating from the Dog Aging Project, a significant research initiative that commenced in 2018, the study aims to understand how genes, lifestyles, and surroundings impact aging in dogs. The hope is that these findings could also enhance human health understanding.
Brianah McCoy, co-author and ASU doctoral student, stated, “Dogs are integral parts of our lives. Understanding how their health is affected by their social environment might also shed light on human health.”
Among the 45,000 dogs in the project, around 1,000 are under special observation. From these, Snyder-Mackler and his team are gathering various biological samples to glean more insights.
Analyzing survey data, researchers distilled their findings to five main factors influencing a dog’s health. Among their discoveries:
– Financially struggling households tend to have dogs in poorer health.
– Dogs in more sociable environments, like other dogs, exhibited better health.
– While lifespan wasn’t measured, the impact of different factors on health was compared.
However, the research doesn’t necessarily advocate getting more dogs or frequenting dog-centric places. As Snyder-Mackler cautioned, “Our study only observed whether homes had multiple pets. Still, the results imply that more animal companionship correlates with better health.”
Yet, every dog is unique. Some might find social interactions stressful, and it might not always be best to force such interactions, warn experts.
The study brought forth surprising revelations:
– The presence of children seemed detrimental to dog health.
– Affluent households had dogs diagnosed with more illnesses.
– Older human companions seemed to benefit dogs, especially younger ones.
Researchers theorized that dogs in households with children might receive lesser attention, affecting their health. Affluence could mean more frequent vet visits, identifying more illnesses.
There were limitations: the majority of participants were from high-income backgrounds, and there was insufficient data to discern the effects of having additional dogs versus other pets.
Snyder-Mackler concluded, “Perhaps even cats might offer health benefits through companionship.”
In a world increasingly understanding the intricate links between emotional well-being, social connections, and physical health, this study throws light on the importance of social environments for our furry companions. While each dog, like humans, is individual in its needs, the overarching message is clear: meaningful connections, whether with humans or other pets, play a significant role in promoting a healthier, happier life. As pet parents and animal lovers, it’s vital to ensure our pets have opportunities to form these beneficial bonds, even if it’s just with us or, perhaps, a feline friend.
