Does Dog Ownership REALLY Contribute to Good Health?

We have all heard that owning a pet contributes to overall good health. ‘Therapy dogs’ in hospitals and nursing homes have been beneficial for the patients and owning a dog can contribute to your longevity. The New York Times recent blog  “Life with a Dog: You Meet People” by Jane Brody, confirms the value of dog ownership.

Since dog owners consistently walk more, they usually maintain their weight and are healthier as a result, but also add the ‘social connection’ factor to their overall wellness. Not only does the unconditional love of a dog help with overall well-being, but the companionship of any pet adds to overall health.  

I shared the article with one of my clients, who happens to be a brilliant researcher and dog lover too. He responded with the scientific studies from the recent American Heart Association meeting about the heart-healthy benefits to dog ownership.

Note: This is the short version of the scientific statement (LOE = level of evidence; A is the highest)

Top Ten Things To Know Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk

1. This AHA Scientific Statement critically assesses studies regarding the influence of pet ownership on the presence and reduction of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors as a novel strategy in reducing the risk of CVD.

2. Pet ownership, particularly of dogs, is probably associated with decreased CVD risk (LOE B), and may have a causal role in reducing CVD risk (LOE B). Further investigation is needed to establish a causal relationship.

3. While pet ownership may be reasonable for the reduction in CVD risk (LOE B), pet adoption, rescue, or purchase should not be done for the primary purpose of reducing CVD risk (LOE C).

4. An association between pet ownership and lower blood pressure has been found in some, but not all, studies.

5. Of all pets, dogs seem most likely to positively influence physical activity, especially with owners who regularly walk their dogs.

6. Pets also play an important role in providing social support, which is one of the most significant predictors of adherence to behavior change over time.

7. Companion animals may strengthen engagement in a weight loss program.

8. A positive relationship between pet ownership and autonomic function or cardiovascular reactivity to stress has been reported in most published studies. People with pets tend to have lower baseline heart rates, lower blood pressures, and significantly reduced increases in heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress. Recovery time from a stressful event is also markedly improved.

9. Further investigation is warranted regarding the influence of pet ownership on reducing CVD risk, including those on risk factor modification, primary prevention, and use of pet acquisition as a part of a strategy for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

10. Minimal data are available to make an association between hyperlipidemia and pet ownership, as well as survival in people without established cardiovascular disease and pet ownership.

Levine GN, et al; on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology and Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013: published online before print May 9, 2013, 10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1.

So, those of you that have dogs probably know some of this intuitively. And those that don’t might consider the addition of a dog for all the above reasons, but most importantly for the unconditional love that abounds and contributes to one’s overall health and optimism!