Owning a Pet May Protect Cognitive Health

Cognitive decline was slower for older adults who had pets, an observational study showed.

"Although this study cannot prove a cause and effect relationship between pet ownership and cognition, these findings provide early evidence to suggest that long-term pet ownership could be protective against cognitive decline, providing a novel and fundamental step to understanding how relationships with companion animals contribute to brain health," Braley told MedPage Today.

by Judy George, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today February 23, 2022