TOKYO — Owning a pet is known to be healing for both mind and body, with its health and welfare benefits increasingly recognized in recent years. But a new study, led by a researcher at Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies, found that owning a dog rather than a cat may lower the risk of dementia and frailty in older adults.
Yu Taniguchi, a senior researcher specializing in geriatrics at the institute, and his fellows studied around 11,000 residents aged 65 and older in Tokyo's Ota Ward over four years starting in 2016. Their findings revealed that dog owners were 40% less likely to develop dementia than those who didn't own dogs. A separate two-year study involving about 6,200 people found that dog owners were approximately 20% less likely to become frail, defined as a decline in muscle strength and other physical abilities.
However, cat owners showed no statistically significant reductions in the risk of dementia or frailty. Taniguchi postulated differences in exercise and social interaction between the two. Dog owners walk their pets, which promotes physical activity and creates opportunities for social engagement. These factors help prevent social isolation, a known contributor to poor health.
“Walking dogs seems to lower the risk of dementia and frailty through regular exercise. Cats, while previous research shows benefits for mental health, likely provide less physical activity,” explained Taniguchi.
The research also found that people who exercised regularly but did not own dogs had a reduced risk of dementia. However, the effect was stronger among those who both owned dogs and exercised, suggesting that dog ownership supports consistent physical and social activity. Taniguchi, a dog owner himself, shared that he walks his dog daily, regardless of the weather, and that he now has more people to exchange greetings with along the way.
Still, owning a dog alone does not guarantee health benefits. The study showed mixed results for dog owners who did not exercise regularly. “The health and longevity benefits come not just from living with a dog, but from staying physically and socially engaged through loving care,” Taniguchi concluded.
(Japanese original by Satoshi Yamaguchi, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)
