Every morning, your dog looks at you with those eyes. You know the ones. And before long, the leash is in your hand and you are out the door together.
It turns out, that daily ritual is doing more for you than you might realize.
Researchers at the University of Missouri set out to study the connection between dog ownership and physical health in older adults. What they found was encouraging. Dog owners who walked their dogs regularly had lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits, and more frequent exercise than those who did not.
The study drew on 2012 data from the Health and Retirement Study, which was sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. It was a large, nationally representative sample, not a small experiment.
Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing in the Sinclair School of Nursing, led the research. She also serves as director of the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at MU.
“Our results showed that dog ownership and walking were related to increases in physical health among older adults,” Johnson said. “These results can provide the basis for medical professionals to recommend pet ownership for older adults and can be translated into reduced health care expenditures for the aging population.”
The research also looked at something deeper than just the act of walking. The bond between owner and dog made a difference, too. People who reported a stronger connection with their pet were more likely to walk their dogs, and to walk longer each time, than those with a weaker bond.
There is also a social side to all of this. Dog walking naturally brings people together. A quick stop on the sidewalk, a chat with a neighbor… those small moments add up.
The study, published in The Gerontologist, even pointed to what retirement communities could do with these findings. Johnson noted that facilities could support their residents’ health by adopting more pet-friendly policies, things like dog walking trails and designated exercise areas for pets.
The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week for adults of all ages. Walking is already the most popular form of leisure exercise among adults 60 and older. It is low impact, self-paced, and needs no equipment.
Add a dog to the equation, and science says you are even more likely to lace up those shoes and head out the door.
Some mornings, your dog is not just your companion. They are your doctor’s best recommendation.
