A dog extends life

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Man's best friend also extends life expectancy: As a dog owner, you live longer. Going for a walk every day keeps you fit - but just as important is the emotional bond. Singles in particular benefit from this.

Social contacts are important for people. Those who are lonely are more likely to get sick and die earlier. The exchange with family and friends, on the other hand, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, among other things. Various studies have already shown this.

Singles benefit more from dogs

As part of a large study, scientists from the University of the South of Denmark in Copenhagen found that close contact with four-legged friends has a similar protective effect. Owning a dog reduced mortality by an average of 8 percent. For single dog masters, the four-legged favorites were even more important: for them, the risk of death fell by as much as 14 percent compared to single dogs without dogs.

The researchers used the Danish Personal Register, which records data such as age, schooling, income and marital status as a basis. The researchers identified 45,000 people who died in 2015 and compared them with survivors of similar ages and backgrounds. Who of them was a dog owner revealed to the researchers a card index in which dog owners have been registered in Denmark for 25 years. On average, the study participants were 76 years old.

Dogs as substitute partners

"Dogs can be viewed as companions who cushion stress in the same way as family members and friends," the researchers write. The fact that dogs reduced the risk of death particularly significantly in those living alone shows that they can actually act as a substitute for a partner or other close interpersonal relationship. The four-legged friends could also act as social catalysts - if you are out and about with a dog, you will come into contact more quickly.

Four-legged fitness trainer

Another positive effect: If you have a dog, you move a lot more, studies in recent years have shown. Regardless of whether it is sunshine or drizzle, your four-legged friend has to go outside. And this animal need also keeps the master physically fit. Regular exercise reduces the risk of many common diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arteriosclerosis and even cancer.

In fact, the positive effect on life expectancy could be much higher than the numbers suggest. On the one hand, it was not possible to infer from the data who, as an unregistered owner, lived in a household with a dog. This could benefit from the four-legged friend as well as the registered owner.

On the other hand, the researchers only differentiated between people who never and those who were recorded as dog owners at some point. That could dilute the result. Because the long or current company of a dog would possibly increase the life expectancy again significantly.

Dogs as age companions

Older people in particular who live alone should consider a dog as a companion. The four-legged companion could not only improve your quality of life, but also extend your life expectancy.

Tags:  prevention vaccinations healthy feet