Research explores whether owning a cat or dog is related to maintaining physical function in older adults.

Successful aging doesn’t just mean adding years to a person’s life, it’s about extending the number of years in which they can do the activities they value. This often means maintaining a high level of physical, psychological and social functioning.

Previous research has found that dog walking can help owners stay more physically active as they age. However, a recent study has gone beyond dog walking, revealing new insights into the role pets can play in keeping older adults active for longer.

New research into aging with pets

Using data collected from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), the study investigated the impact of pet ownership on physical function in a sample of 637 generally healthy older adults (50-100 years) over a 10–13-year period. In the sample, 29% of participants owned a pet, with 18% owning a dog and 15% owning a cat.

The findings revealed that physical function decreased for all participants as they aged, but that this decline was less pronounced for pet owners (dog & cat) than non-owners. In particular, pet owners’ overall physical performance, rapid and usual gait speed, physical wellbeing, and cardiovascular fitness were maintained at a higher level.

Interestingly, the study found that dog walking was not related to the boost in physical activity suggested in previous research. Also, no differences in physical function or leisure time activity were observed between dog and cat owners, suggesting that dog walking is not performed on top of other physical activity, but instead of.

The role of pets in an aging society

The results of the study suggest that owning a pet may moderate age-related declines in physical function later in life. Interestingly, they did not show that owning a dog or cat was superior or that dog walking was related to changes in physical function, suggesting that other aspects of pet ownership are responsible for the maintenance of physical function, not just physical activity.

Overall, this study highlights the potential for pets to contribute to the successful aging of older adults, showing that the physical benefits of pet ownership extend beyond activity related to dog walking. They also add weight to the growing pressure for more pet-friendly accommodation for older adults, including care homes and supported living.

Key Study findings:

• The decline in physical function was less pronounced for pet owners
• There were no differences in physical function between cat and dog owners
• Dog walking was not related to the boost in physical activity