Social connections, both human and canine, may be the secret to longevity for our furry friends, according to a new study from the Dog Aging Project.
Dogs, like humans, thrive on social bonds, and a study involving over 25,000 dogs reveals that sociability could be a key factor in their health and longevity. Researchers from the Dog Aging Project, a collaborative effort between the University of Washington and Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine, recently published their findings in Evolution, Medicine & Public Health. Their study explored how various social determinants influence the aging process in dogs.
Social Support Improves Canine Health
While the Dog Aging Project doesn’t typically offer recommendations based on its findings, the researchers couldn’t ignore one crucial factor: the importance of strong social connections for dogs.
According to Brianah McCoy, a Ph.D. candidate at Arizona State University and one of the study’s lead authors:
“This does show that, even for our companion dogs, having those strong social connections and social companions is important. Overall, it’s good for your dog to have social support around, in the form of other people and other dogs. Dogs are social animals, just like us, so they benefit from being around others.”
Surprising Results on Wealth and Kids
One unexpected finding from the study was that dogs in more affluent households appeared to have more reported health issues. This was likely due to greater access to veterinary care, providing more opportunities for health concerns to be documented. On the other hand, dogs that lived in environments with greater financial or household adversity showed more signs of poor health and reduced mobility.
Another surprising result: dogs living with children had worse health outcomes. Layla Brassington, a co-lead author from Arizona State, explained:
“That was definitely something that came out as a surprise. But we think that this is because the more time that owners have to dedicate to human children, the less time they have for their furry children.”
A Call for Intervention
The study also highlights how societal inequities affect the health of companion animals. Noah Snyder-Mackler, an assistant professor at ASU, said:
“Societal inequities trickle down to our companion animals as well. I think that’s an important take-home in terms of how we might develop interventions to address these inequities.”
In conclusion, the researchers suggest that fostering a social, supportive environment for dogs could be one of the most effective ways to improve their quality of life. With social companionship shown to be five times more impactful than financial factors, this study sheds light on how dog owners can support their furry friends’ health.
