As we get older, many of us worry about our mental health as well as our physical health, and we can be eager to keep our minds sharp. One way to preserve your cognitive abilities is to have a loyal four-legged friend. A new study has found that brain function and cognitive decline can be slowed thanks to your pooch. Therefore, dogs and cats can help us stay healthy both physically and mentally, as well as warm our hearts with their companionship.
A recent long-term study, published in Scientific Reports and analyzed by The Guardian, indicates that dog and cat ownership is linked with a slower decline in specific cognitive domains as people age. The researchers used 18 years of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which focused on more than 16,000 adults aged 50 and over.
The experts suggest that social and emotional interactions with dogs and cats activate key regions of the brain. They found that dog owners retain a sharper memory for both immediate and delayed recall. Cat owners generally had a slower decline in verbal fluency, so they maintained quick access to and articulation of words. They found no significant cognitive benefit for birds or fish owners.
There are several proposed mechanisms for why dogs and cats help preserve brain function, and these mechanisms are also supported by earlier research. Studies show that companion animals can reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can affect brain health. Reducing stress can reduce stress hormones and preserve neurons and neural connections. Long-term commitment to a pet is also beneficial.
Exercise is known to boost brain health as it increases blood flow to the brain, promotes the growth of new neurons, and supports neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire itself). So, there are obvious benefits for dog owners walking their pets, giving them more daily exercise. Dog walking is a great way to socialize and connect with people, which supports your cognitive health. In this study, the authors suggest that these social interactions could be part of why the benefits are observed.
Looking after a dog also takes brain power! From remembering feeding schedules, obedience training work, reacting to behaviors, whether positive or negative, and solving little everyday problems. A study of brain imaging data even found that pet ownership is associated with larger brain structures in certain places, improving the ability to do some cognitive tasks. This study suggested that owning a pet could reduce your “brain age” by up to 15 years.
Longitudinal studies like the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) tracked older adults over many years and found that pet owners experienced a slower decline in a range of cognitive abilities: memory, executive function, language, and processing speed.
Companion pets, like dogs and cats, can help improve memory. While both cats and dogs confer benefits, several studies suggest dogs may have a strong effect on memory functions. One article, McDonough et al. (2022), found that dog owners, more so than owners of other pets, performed better in processing speed, attentional tasks, and episodic memory than non-pet owners.
They consider that because dogs require active care and socialization, it stimulates more of the brain’s networks involved in attention, memory, and emotion. Caring for a pet dog can provide greater mental engagement than that required for other pets. And this makes dogs really great as we age.
Caring and spending time with dogs can help slow down cognitive decline, so it can really help with illnesses such as dementia. It can be great if dogs visit elderly people in assisted living or retirement communities. A dog that is trained in this kind of support work in visiting elderly people can play an important role in benefiting residents' brain health.
It also means we should encourage older dog owners and find ways for them to be able to safely care for a dog, and that they have the support in place. Do they have pet insurance? Can they afford veterinary care, or do they need additional community support, like dog walking support? This can help elderly dog owners to continue to benefit from the social and mental stimulation that comes from caring for a dog.
It would be good if health care professionals also support dog ownership where practical and safe. As it can really help support long-term ownership. We mustn't place too great an expectation on the role of dogs in keeping their owners’ brains healthy. For example, we know we have to eat the right foods as well.
It’s still important that if you are considering getting a dog at an older age to help slow cognitive decline, you realize that the studies just identify a positive association between dog ownership and slower cognitive decline, but we can’t conclude definitively that pet ownership causes brain preservation. Other factors, like socioeconomic status, overall lifestyle, and health, may also play a role.
The emotional bond, physical activity, and social interaction that come more naturally with dogs (and to some extent, cats) may be crucial, but it’s important to consider options for long-term ability to care for a pet, as not everyone can maintain pet ownership. There are lots of options to consider, and you should have plans in place for what will happen to your dog or cat if you are unable to care for them.
For some older people, physical limitations, finances, housing restrictions, and other responsibilities can make owning a dog impractical for some older adults. Having dogs visit with friends and family can be an advantage, so consider other ways to interact with companion animals like dogs and cats.
There is a need for more research, and experts are calling for further longitudinal and randomized studies to really pin down the mechanisms by which pets might protect cognitive health. Adopting a dog shouldn’t be your only strategy for keeping your mind sharp, but science increasingly suggests it can play a helpful role in preserving cognitive function.
Through stress reduction, physical exercise, social engagement, and mental stimulation, our beloved dog companions may help us navigate the aging process with more clarity and resilience. So, if you’re thinking about getting a dog and your lifestyle allows you to care for one, it may not just enrich your life emotionally. It might also be great for your brain.
01 January, 2026