Key points from article :
As dementia rates rise with an aging global population, a new study suggests that owning a dog or cat could help preserve certain brain functions as we grow older. Led by Adriana Rostekova of the University of Geneva and published in Scientific Reports, the research examined 18 years of data from the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe, focusing on people aged 50 and older. The findings revealed that pet ownership isn’t universally beneficial—while dogs were linked to better memory retention and cats to improved verbal fluency, other pets like birds and fish didn’t show the same cognitive advantages.
Rostekova proposes that the physical and emotional demands of caring for dogs and cats may offer unique cognitive stimulation. These animals can foster increased social interaction, mental engagement, and even emotional arousal—factors known to benefit brain health. For example, walking a dog can encourage socialization and physical activity, while a cat’s unpredictable behaviour might stimulate attention and problem-solving.
In contrast, birds and fish may not offer the same level of cognitive engagement. Short lifespans, limited interaction, and potential downsides such as noise (in the case of birds) may account for their lack of impact. The study emphasizes that it’s not just pet ownership, but the type of pet and the nature of the relationship that may matter most for cognitive aging.
Commenting on the findings, longevity expert Andrew Scott noted that as we shift focus from treating illness to preventing decline, pets might become an unexpected but enjoyable part of a healthy aging strategy. “A lot of recommended health practices aren’t fun—but having a pet is, and if it supports brain health, that’s a win-win,” he said.
