Dogs and cats may slow cognitive decline
Research we're watching
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Owning a dog or cat isn’t just fun; it might also help keep your brain sharp as you age, according to a study published May 30, 2025, in Scientific Reports.
Researchers examined 18 years’ worth of data from 16,582 people 50 and older (average age 63, 54% women). They assessed the link between pet ownership and cognitive decline, as well as any distinctions between people who had dogs, cats, birds, and fish. Just under 40% of study participants were pet owners. Researchers found that people with dogs showed a slower decline in memory (including both immediate and delayed recall) compared with participants who didn’t own pets. Meanwhile, cat owners experienced a slower decline in verbal fluency (the ability to easily and rapidly produce words). No cognitive benefits were found to owning fish or birds.
The findings add to earlier research suggesting that pet ownership is associated with an array of physical and mental health benefits, including lower blood pressure and a greater sense of well-being, the study authors said.
Image: © Burak Kiliç/Getty Images
About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
