A University of Michigan-affiliated research team found that adults age 65 and older who had owned a pet for more than five years had higher cognitive scores than adults who did not own pets. The study was observational, so it cannot show that pet ownership caused the difference or prevented dementia.
The result is specific to the study’s older-adult group and cognitive tests. It is not evidence that someone should acquire a pet to protect their memory.
What the study examined
The peer-reviewed study, “The Impact of Sustained Ownership of a Pet on Cognitive Health: A Population-Based Study,” analyzed Health and Retirement Study data collected from 2010 through 2016. The research team included University of Michigan Department of Neurology researchers. The analysis used repeated cognitive measures from 1,369 adults who had normal cognition at baseline.
Researchers compared three pet-ownership groups:
- Sustained pet owners: people who reported owning a pet for more than five years;
- Shorter-term pet owners: people who had owned a pet for five years or less; and
- Non-pet owners: people who did not own a pet.
The composite cognitive measure combined tests including immediate and delayed word recall, serial-seven subtraction, and backward counting.
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What the researchers found
Among participants age 65 and older, sustained pet ownership was associated with a 0.76 higher mean composite cognitive score than no pet ownership in a given survey year (adjusted p=0.03). Sustained ownership was also associated with higher immediate word-recall scores (β=0.3, p=0.02) and delayed word-recall scores (β=0.4, p=0.007).
These values are study score units, not percentages or estimates of dementia-risk reduction. The researchers did not find significant cognitive-score differences between pet owners and non-owners younger than 65.
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How to interpret the results
The study found an association, not proof of cause and effect. Participants were not randomly assigned to own pets. Factors that make it easier to keep a pet for years could also relate to cognitive scores, and the analysis cannot establish which came first.
The authors called for further research on possible causal pathways, including physical activity and stress buffering, as well as selection effects. The study’s sample also consisted of people with normal cognition at baseline, so its findings do not establish an effect for people already experiencing cognitive impairment.
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Does owning a pet help prevent dementia?
This study does not show that pets prevent dementia, reverse cognitive impairment, or slow biological decline. It measured performance on cognitive tests, not dementia diagnoses or disease progression. Its findings should be described as a link between sustained pet ownership and selected cognitive scores among adults age 65 and older.
Should an older adult get a pet for brain health?
No—not solely for that reason. The evidence does not support acquiring an animal as a medical intervention. Anyone considering a pet should weigh their preferences and the animal’s welfare alongside finances, housing, health, mobility, and available support.
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Before taking on pet care, consider:
- Costs: food, veterinary care, medications, supplies, and unexpected treatment;
- Housing: pet rules, access, and the possibility of future moves;
- Safety and mobility: walking, lifting, stairs, and the risk of falls;
- Health and daily needs: allergies, sleep, and whether care tasks compete with the owner’s own needs; and
- Backup care: who can help during illness, hospitalization, travel, or rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is long-term pet ownership linked to better memory in older adults?
In this study, adults age 65 and older who reported owning a pet for more than five years had higher immediate and delayed word-recall scores than non-pet owners. The observational result does not establish that pet ownership caused the difference.
Did the study find the same association in adults younger than 65?
No statistically significant cognitive-score differences between pet owners and non-owners were found among participants younger than 65.
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Does the study prove that pets prevent dementia?
No. It measured cognitive test scores and did not establish that pet ownership prevents dementia or slows disease progression.
Should someone adopt a pet to protect their memory?
No. This research does not support getting a pet as a dementia-prevention measure. Pet ownership should be considered only if the person can manage the long-term responsibilities and provide appropriate care for the animal.
Sources and study notes
Applebaum, Jennifer W.; Shieu, Monica M.; McDonald, Shelby E.; Levi Dunietz, Galit; and Braley, Tiffany J. “The Impact of Sustained Ownership of a Pet on Cognitive Health: A Population-Based Study.” Journal of Aging and Health, volume 35, issues 3–4, pages 230–241. Published online August 25, 2022; assigned to the March 2023 issue. DOI: 10.1177/08982643221122641.
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