The Role Of Pets In Aging Gracefully, A few years ago, Margaret, my 72-year-old neighbor, adopted a dirty dog named Max. She wasn’t sure about committing, but after a few months, she was walking, laughing, and seeing more people than ever. She would smile and remark, “I swear, Max keeps me young!” as they passed by my house. As a scientist who studies getting older, I could tell she was right. For Margaret, having a pet is like having a secret tool that can help her live longer and healthier.
So, what is the secret to having a pet and living a long life? Let’s break it down.
One of the best ways to slow down the aging process is to get some exercise. Pets, especially dogs, are excellent at getting people moving. Studies indicate that people who own dogs walk their dogs for 22 minutes more each day than people who don’t own dogs. That extra movement lowers the risk of heart disease, keeps joints healthy, and even lowers stress hormones. Playing with your cat can keep you active and improve your hand-eye coordination, even if you already like cats.
Science-backed advice: If you struggle with motivation, consider adopting a pet that encourages daily movement. You can get more exercise even if you only have a small dog or an active cat.
The Role Of Pets In Aging Gracefully, Did you ever notice that petting a dog or cat makes you feel better? Interacting with a pet releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” and lowers cortisol, the worry hormone. High cortisol is linked to a lot of health problems, from wrinkles to heart disease, so it’s important to keep it in check if you want to live a long time.
Do this every day for five minutes: Sit quietly with your pet and focus on their breaths and warmth. It’s like a natural meditation time with hugs built in!
Keeping a sense of meaning is one of the hardest things about getting older. A study in JAMA Psychiatry found that people who have a strong sense of meaning are less likely to die. Because they require feeding, exercise, and company, pets provide you with structure and duty, both crucial for your mental health.
Tip backed by science: Getting a pet can help you keep your mind and spirit active every day if you live alone or are retired.
The Role Of Pets In Aging Gracefully, The great thing about dogs is that they bring people together. People smile and start talking to you as you walk your dog through the park.
If you join an online cat lover’s group, you’ll find people who share your passion.
Additionally, pets offer company without the stress of social contacts. They listen without judging, love without conditions, and are there to comfort you.
Making this kind of nonverbal link can be very helpful for older people who may feel alone or shy about making friends.
Tip backed by science: If you have trouble with loneliness, having a pet can help you meet new people. You can meet people and animals by going to a dog park, signing up for pet-friendly meetups, or even working at an animal shelter.
You might not believe it, but being around pet hair and germs can help your immune system.
This idea, called the “hygiene hypothesis,” says that being around germs on a daily basis can make us stronger. Some studies even show that kids who grow up with pets are less likely to have asthma and allergens.
For older people, the benefits go beyond not having allergies. Having a pet has been linked to lower amounts of inflammation, which is a major cause of diseases that come with getting older.
Having a pet can also make you more busy, get you outside, and lower your stress, all of which are good for your immune system.
Tip backed by science: If you want to, let your pet sleep with you at night. Just make sure they’re clean and free of fleas.
One of the most worrying things about getting older is cognitive loss. In intriguing ways, pets keep our minds active.
Mental stimulation can come from remembering when to feed pets, teaching them tricks, or even just figuring out how their strange behaviors work.
Science-based advice: Experiment by teaching your pet new tricks or investing in a puzzle feeder for both of you. This will keep your mind sharp.
The Role Of Pets In Aging Gracefully, Having a pet has been linked to lower blood pressure and a lower chance of getting heart disease. According to a study from the American Heart Association, people who owned dogs had a 24% lower chance of dying from heart-related conditions than people who did not own dogs.
Why are they? They have higher levels of exercise, lower levels of stress, and better emotional health.
Science-backed advice: Spending time with a pet may help control your high blood pressure if you already have it. Pick up your pet for 10 minutes every so often during the day.
It’s not true that pets can make you live forever, but they can make the years you spend getting old a lot healthier and happier. If you want to get a pet, you should think about how you will live, how mobile you are, and how long you can care for an animal.
Even if you are unable to own a pet, you can still enjoy the advantages of having one. You can help at shelters, take in animals, or even pet-sit for family and friends.
My neighbor Margaret doesn’t hold a PhD in aging biology, but she got one of the most important things about living a long life right: stay busy, stay connected, and have a sense of purpose. This can manifest as a movement of the tail or a gentle purr.
If you want to add more movement, joy, and company to your life, you might want to add a furry (or even feathered) friend to your list of ways to live longer. Anyone can agree with science that it works, so why not give kisses?
