Having a pet keeps you smarter longer in old age, research suggests

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As you age, Fido can help keep you sharp.

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New research from the University of Michigan has found that long-time pet owners in their mid-60s had higher cognitive scores than people of the same age group without pets.

For the Health and Retirement Study, “long-term” meant longer than five years.

“Prior studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits like decreasing blood pressure and stress,” said study author Dr. Tiffany Braley of the University of Michigan Medical Center, in a release from the American Academy of Neurology.

“Our results suggest pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive  decline.”

The participants, who were followed over six years, all had average cognitive skills at the start of the study.

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Data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study was used by researchers to look at 1369 people, 53% of whom had pets ( 32% were long-term pet owners.)

According to People Magazine, researchers used cognitive tests to develop a composite cognitive score for each person, ranging from zero to 27.

The score included tests of subtraction, numeric counting, and word recall. Researchers then compared participants’ composite cognitive scores with years of pet ownership and cognitive function.

What researchers found over the six years is that cognitive scores declined more slowly in pet owners, particularly long-term pet owners.

Researchers said benefits were more substantial for black adults, college-educated adults, and men.

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Dr. Braley has said that more research is required to find the reasons why pet ownership has these benefits. She said there may be a connection with the stress-lowering effects of pet ownership, or with the increased physical activity — which can help brain health — associated with pet ownership.

These findings will come as no surprise to anyone who owns a pet or has experienced a roomful of puppies as a stress deterrent.

In addition to companionship, caring for an animal can offer structure and a sense of purpose, not to mention exercise and opportunities to socialize — two things that often decline in the lives of seniors.