“And they called it puppy love…” If you’re singing this in your head, we can’t blame you! This 1972 Donny Osmond song totally captures how many of us feel about our canine best buds. The love of a good dog is deep and endless, filling our hearts to the brim with happiness and joy.
But having fun and experiencing joy is far from the only benefit. One Swiss study from last November reveals a surprising and interesting correlation between dog ownership and lowered risk for heart and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Here’s what we know about the research and why it’s such a compelling reason to adopt.
Study: Dog Ownership, the Risk of CVD and Death
Led by student Mwenya Mubanga at Uppsala University in Sweden, this was a nationwide cohort study, specifically focused on dog ownership and cardiovascular health. Researchers monitored a total of 3.4 million Swedish patients aged 40 to 80 from two specific subgroups: those who owned at least one dog and those who were pet-free.
To eliminate potential variables, researchers selected patients classified as being in average health without any history of CVD. The study references a total of seven national Swedish data sources, including local and national dog registries. The sheer volume of people studied makes this study one of the largest on dog ownership and health in human history.
The sheer scope of the study demanded that study leader Mwenya Mubanga and his research team needed assistance with gathering and analyzing data. They reference communications with the Swedish government, the Swedish Twin Register (STR), the Swedish Kennel Club, and the Swedish Board of Agriculture. The last two organizations are dually responsible for registering and storing licenses (including identification information) for every owned dog in Sweden.
Researchers also specifically defined what they classified as “dog ownership” to prevent accidental inappropriate influences. Instead of simply counting everyone who lived with a dog, they identified it as “periods registered or having a partner registered as a dog owner in either of the two dog registers.” This included both single and married individuals with dogs.
Research Results
Results from the 13-year study were surprising, but they are supported by previous studies revealing a connection between overall health and dog ownership. Dog ownership was inversely associated with a the risk for heart disease and death as a result of heart disease uniformly across the board. In some cases, that risk reduction was so high it rivaled the protective benefits of medications like Aspirin or statins.
Interestingly, researchers also found further evidence of nuances within the study group and specific breeds. Patients who owned dogs originally bred for hunting (such as Labradors and Vizslas) seemed to benefit more from dog ownership than patients with other more generalistic breeds.
Surprising Statistics
One of the most surprising reveals in this study is a significant increase in benefit for single patients. These individuals saw a 33 percent average reduction CVD risk. Single patients who experienced CVD within the study’s time frame were 36 percent less likely to pass away as a result of their diseases compared to non-dog-owning patients. They also enjoyed an 11 percent reduction in the risk of heart attacks right out of the gate.
Married and common-law couples also benefited from dog ownership, although the benefits gained weren’t quite on the same level. The study showed a 15 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths in this patient group. Oddly, the research did not identify a link between lowered rates of overall CVD or heart attacks when patients lived with another person.
What Makes Canine Companionship So Special?
Just what is it about owning a dog that’s so special? Senior author and Associate Professor in Epidemiology at Uppsala University Tove Fall has some thoughts on the topic.
“We know that dog owners in general have a higher level of physical activity, which could be one explanation to the observed results. Other explanations include an increased well-being and social contacts or effects of the dog on the bacterial microbiome in the owner.”
This viewpoint falls in line with other studies on the topic. Scientists have known for decades that people who own a dog tend to get out more, get more exercise, and spend more time living an active life than those who don’t. The study is additional confirmation of the fact that dogs keep us healthy by inspiring us to live an active lifestyle in the first place.
What’s especially new and interesting about this particular study is the correlation between social support and lowered risk for heart disease. Dogs are effective social companions; they don’t judge us or question us, they just remain loyal by our side. For single people, owning a dog likely staves off loneliness and “broken heart” symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and even high blood pressure.
The correlation between gut health and bacteria (in the form of dirt) is also interesting. One of the primary research focuses in healthcare right now is the role of gut flora, how it develops in childhood, and how gut bacteria imbalance might impact our health as we age.
We know that gut flora imbalance can lead to conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). There is also evidence that too few or too many of the wrong gut flora may also weaken our ability to remain healthy in order ways, including cardiovascular and neurological health. Although this study focused on dogs and dog ownership, it also serves as an important reminder of the value of maintaining healthy gut flora through healthy diet, probiotic supplementation, and being unafraid to get a little bit dirty once in a while!
The Takeaway
Despite the scope of the study, researchers aren’t calling the debate an open and shut case. Instead, they’re viewing it as a compelling reason to do even more research. This includes identifying exactly what makes dog ownership such a healthy strategy and how patients can best utilize dog ownership to improve health.
The problem with calling studies like this conclusive is that the results don’t always appear the same across different cultures, locations, and patient groups. The difference in risk reduction between married and single people is significant enough evidence to prove that patients probably don’t all benefit from dog ownership in the same way. We still need to determine exactly how and when that benefit applies in order to call dog ownership a truly health-oriented experience.
Does that mean you shouldn’t own a dog until we know for sure? Absolutely not! Dog ownership is still an incredibly wonderful experience we highly recommend for everyone capable of providing the right level of care.