Older Aussies may have a new secret weapon against dementia…and it has paws!
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What if the secret to staying sharp as you age had four legs and a wagging tail—or perhaps a quiet purr?
New research is shedding light on a surprising connection between our furry companions and brain health in later life.
The findings could change how we think about ageing—and the pets we choose to share it with.
New research has uncovered an unexpected link between pet ownership and brain health, suggesting that our beloved furry companions could be doing more than providing emotional support.
The results may even shift how we approach healthy ageing in a world facing skyrocketing dementia rates…
As global populations continued to age and cognitive decline became a growing concern, scientists began exploring unconventional avenues for prevention.
One study, recently published in Scientific Reports, offered a surprising finding: owning a cat or dog may help preserve specific brain functions in later life.
Lead researcher Adriana Rostekova, from the lifespan developmental psychology research group at the University of Geneva, spent 18 years analysing data from the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe.
She examined the lives of adults aged 50 and over, focusing specifically on their relationships with different types of pets.
‘Pet ownership has been linked to a positive influence on cognitive functioning and cognitive decline in late adulthood,’ she said. ‘However, there is limited understanding of how different species of pets are associated with these outcomes.’
That gap in knowledge led Rostekova to investigate the effects of owning dogs, cats, birds and fish—and what she discovered might change how we view the animals we bring into our lives.
Dog owners, it turned out, retained sharper memory function, both immediate and delayed. Cat owners, on the other hand, experienced a slower decline in verbal fluency.
But when it came to fish and birds—despite their charm—no significant link was found to slower cognitive decline.
‘The key novelty of our study was that we found notable differences between the species,’ Rostekova explained.
She hypothesised that the overall benefits often attributed to pet ownership might actually be driven by cats and dogs in particular—not pets in general.
‘Several explanations may help explain the absence of this association in fish and bird owners, despite the reports of their ownership’ positive influence on wellbeing in ways that are usually associated with cognitive benefits,’ she said.
According to Rostekova, factors like lifespan and sleep disruption could play a role.
‘A fish or bird’s short lifespan may potentially limit the level of emotional connection one is able to develop with the pet fish,’ she explained.
‘Bird ownership may negatively affect the owner’s sleep quality due to the increased noise levels, which has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline.’
She also speculated that dogs and cats may offer unique cognitive stimulation—something less likely with lower-maintenance pets.
‘[It is] further possible that interaction with dogs and cats provides unique cognitive stimulation, which may be less pronounced in other, less demanding pets,’ Rostekova added.
Other studies supported her conclusions, having already shown that spending time with dogs can increase prefrontal brain activity and boost attentional processes and emotional arousal.
Interactions with cats have been associated with heightened activation of the prefrontal cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus—perhaps due to their unpredictable, often complex behaviour.
But it wasn’t just about the animals themselves. Rostekova noted a broader social impact.
‘There is also a possibility of increased social stimulation facilitated by cats and dogs, which may be linked to the slower cognitive decline experienced by their owners: an increased frequency of social interactions when accompanied by a dog—or for cats, a substitute for a social network,’ she said.
These findings have drawn interest beyond the scientific community, particularly among those working in ageing policy and public health. As the NHS grappled with the dual challenge of an ageing population and rising dementia rates, the potential of pets as a tool for healthy ageing gained new relevance.
Andrew Scott, author of The Longevity Imperative and a self-described cat owner (who admitted to also loving dogs), believed the implications extended well beyond traditional healthcare models.
‘We tend to think of health as being about disease and hospitals but as we live longer and need to focus on preventive measures that keep us healthy for longer, we will discover that the health system extends well beyond doctors and hospitals,’ he said.
‘It is about how we live our life. What is nice about this study is it suggests a fun and meaningful way of keeping healthy and engaged. A lot of things we are recommended to do for our health aren’t always fun or companionable (does anyone fast as a family?). Having a pet can be fun and if it keeps you healthy that’s a great bonus.’
Whether you’re a dog devotee or a cat enthusiast, this study hinted at something profound: the relationships we form with our pets might be more powerful—and more protective—than we ever imagined.
It’s one thing to learn that cats and dogs may slow down cognitive decline—but there’s even more to the story.
A related article explained how researchers are now using the accelerated ageing of dogs to uncover secrets of longevity, showing that our four-legged friends might hold clues not just to memory and language skills—but entire lifespans too.
For senior Australians, it turns out our pets could be partners not only for daily companionship, but for sharing healthier, longer lives together.
Read more: Unlock the secret to longevity with this unexpected household pet—A doctor reveals how
Whether you're team cat, team dog, or just love the company of animals, it’s fascinating to think that our furry friends might be doing more for our brains than we ever realised.
Have you noticed a difference in your own wellbeing since getting a pet?
New research is shedding light on a surprising connection between our furry companions and brain health in later life.
The findings could change how we think about ageing—and the pets we choose to share it with.
New research has uncovered an unexpected link between pet ownership and brain health, suggesting that our beloved furry companions could be doing more than providing emotional support.
The results may even shift how we approach healthy ageing in a world facing skyrocketing dementia rates…
As global populations continued to age and cognitive decline became a growing concern, scientists began exploring unconventional avenues for prevention.
One study, recently published in Scientific Reports, offered a surprising finding: owning a cat or dog may help preserve specific brain functions in later life.
Lead researcher Adriana Rostekova, from the lifespan developmental psychology research group at the University of Geneva, spent 18 years analysing data from the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe.
She examined the lives of adults aged 50 and over, focusing specifically on their relationships with different types of pets.
‘Pet ownership has been linked to a positive influence on cognitive functioning and cognitive decline in late adulthood,’ she said. ‘However, there is limited understanding of how different species of pets are associated with these outcomes.’
That gap in knowledge led Rostekova to investigate the effects of owning dogs, cats, birds and fish—and what she discovered might change how we view the animals we bring into our lives.
Dog owners, it turned out, retained sharper memory function, both immediate and delayed. Cat owners, on the other hand, experienced a slower decline in verbal fluency.
But when it came to fish and birds—despite their charm—no significant link was found to slower cognitive decline.
‘The key novelty of our study was that we found notable differences between the species,’ Rostekova explained.
She hypothesised that the overall benefits often attributed to pet ownership might actually be driven by cats and dogs in particular—not pets in general.
‘Several explanations may help explain the absence of this association in fish and bird owners, despite the reports of their ownership’ positive influence on wellbeing in ways that are usually associated with cognitive benefits,’ she said.
According to Rostekova, factors like lifespan and sleep disruption could play a role.
‘A fish or bird’s short lifespan may potentially limit the level of emotional connection one is able to develop with the pet fish,’ she explained.
‘Bird ownership may negatively affect the owner’s sleep quality due to the increased noise levels, which has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline.’
She also speculated that dogs and cats may offer unique cognitive stimulation—something less likely with lower-maintenance pets.
‘[It is] further possible that interaction with dogs and cats provides unique cognitive stimulation, which may be less pronounced in other, less demanding pets,’ Rostekova added.
Other studies supported her conclusions, having already shown that spending time with dogs can increase prefrontal brain activity and boost attentional processes and emotional arousal.
Interactions with cats have been associated with heightened activation of the prefrontal cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus—perhaps due to their unpredictable, often complex behaviour.
But it wasn’t just about the animals themselves. Rostekova noted a broader social impact.
‘There is also a possibility of increased social stimulation facilitated by cats and dogs, which may be linked to the slower cognitive decline experienced by their owners: an increased frequency of social interactions when accompanied by a dog—or for cats, a substitute for a social network,’ she said.
These findings have drawn interest beyond the scientific community, particularly among those working in ageing policy and public health. As the NHS grappled with the dual challenge of an ageing population and rising dementia rates, the potential of pets as a tool for healthy ageing gained new relevance.
Andrew Scott, author of The Longevity Imperative and a self-described cat owner (who admitted to also loving dogs), believed the implications extended well beyond traditional healthcare models.
‘We tend to think of health as being about disease and hospitals but as we live longer and need to focus on preventive measures that keep us healthy for longer, we will discover that the health system extends well beyond doctors and hospitals,’ he said.
‘It is about how we live our life. What is nice about this study is it suggests a fun and meaningful way of keeping healthy and engaged. A lot of things we are recommended to do for our health aren’t always fun or companionable (does anyone fast as a family?). Having a pet can be fun and if it keeps you healthy that’s a great bonus.’
Whether you’re a dog devotee or a cat enthusiast, this study hinted at something profound: the relationships we form with our pets might be more powerful—and more protective—than we ever imagined.
It’s one thing to learn that cats and dogs may slow down cognitive decline—but there’s even more to the story.
A related article explained how researchers are now using the accelerated ageing of dogs to uncover secrets of longevity, showing that our four-legged friends might hold clues not just to memory and language skills—but entire lifespans too.
For senior Australians, it turns out our pets could be partners not only for daily companionship, but for sharing healthier, longer lives together.
Read more: Unlock the secret to longevity with this unexpected household pet—A doctor reveals how
Whether you're team cat, team dog, or just love the company of animals, it’s fascinating to think that our furry friends might be doing more for our brains than we ever realised.
Have you noticed a difference in your own wellbeing since getting a pet?
