Owning a Dog Can Help You Live Longer, Study Suggests

A study in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes suggests dog ownership is linked to life extension, reports USA Today . The researchers reviewed studies published from 1950 to May 2019 that compiled data from more than 3 million participants. Dog owners were more likely to live longer than non-owners, with a 24 percent risk reduction for death from any cause. Dog owners also were less likely to die from heart disease compared with non-owners, and avoiding smoking or alcohol also could contribute to the study's findings. According to Tulane University School of Medicine Professor Keith C. Ferdinand, 10 times more women die from heart disease and stroke than breast cancer, and dogs can address multiple factors that play a role in cardiovascular diseases, such as mental and physical health. He noted people who walk a dog 20 to 30 minutes daily satisfy the American Heart Association's recommended weekly 150 minutes of moderate exercise to improve cardiovascular health. "The best combination would not only be an active dog owner but also someone who addresses their multiple risk factors," Ferdinand said.