People looking to stay well as they age may want to adopt a pet animal, according to new data from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. For the survey, researchers polled about 2,000 U.S. adults from ages 50 to 80. 55% said they owned at least one pet. Dogs were the most common pet, followed by cats. But whatever the type of animal, the vast majority of owners said their pets boosted their mental and physical health.
Nearly 90% of older pet owners said their animals helped them enjoy life and feel loved; roughly 80% said their pets reduced stress; and almost three-quarters said their pets provided a sense of purpose. However, people did report a few disadvantages to pet ownership. This included difficulty traveling and financial strains. 6% of pet owners said they'd fallen or injured themselves as a result of having a pet.
Still, plenty of research has shown that just about anyone can benefit from their pet, since animals can lower stress, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and encourage physical activity. The new poll suggests that pet ownership may be especially beneficial for older adults, given how common loneliness and social isolation are within this age group. Human social support comes with a host of health benefits—less stress, lower rates of long-term disease and more—and research shows that interacting with pets can bring many of the same benefits.