How Owning a Dog May Extend Your Life

Research suggests that a simple way to extend your life might involve adopting a dog. Dan Buettner, a longevity expert and the founder of Blue Zones in Minneapolis, Minnesota, points to growing scientific evidence indicating that dog ownership is linked to a lower risk of early death, especially from cardiac issues.

“If you want to live longer, consider getting a dog,” Buettner advised in a recent podcast episode. He emphasized that dog owners tend to live longer, suffer fewer heart attacks, and are less lonely. Dogs encourage daily walking, offer companionship, and provide unconditional love.

Research indicates owning a dog is associated with a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality for the general population compared to non-owners, according to the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation.

For those who have experienced major cardiac events like heart attacks or strokes, having a dog could decrease the risk of death by up to 33%.

Three Reasons Dogs Promote Longevity

Experts in epidemiology and psychology highlight three main reasons why dogs can help extend human lifespan:

• Daily Physical Activity: Studies from BMC Public Health show that dog owners walk an average of 22 more minutes per day than non-owners, increasing their likelihood of meeting standard exercise recommendations.
• Stress Reduction: Interactions with pets decrease cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, while increasing oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. A study in Sweden with 3.4 million participants highlighted lower blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular disease rates among dog owners.
• Reduced Isolation: Chronic loneliness has been declared a public health crisis in the U.S. Dogs act as “social catalysts,” encouraging interactions and emotional connections that alleviate isolation, especially in single-person households.

Alignment with “Blue Zones” Principles

The benefits of having a dog align with core principles found in “blue zones,” or areas of the world with high numbers of centenarians. These principles include natural daily movement, a strong sense of purpose, stress reduction, and deep social connections.

Incorporating a dog into your daily life can help you effortlessly adopt these healthy habits.

“If your goal is to live longer,” advises Buettner, “adopt a dog.”

Khloe Quill, a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital, covers topics ranging from food and drink to travel and health.