Older woman walking dog

Staying Physically Active

On average, dog owners walk more minutes per week than non-owners and have a 54% higher likelihood of reaching their recommended levels of physical activity.2,3

Cardiovascular Health

Research indicates that owning a pet can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, help us maintain a lower resting heart rate, and significantly reduce our risk of heart attack.4,5,6

Dog and cat with heart health meter

How You Can Help

It’s simple, spread the word! The more widely understood and accepted the benefits of the human animal bond are, the more we can help to inform decisions and policies that will positively effect pets, people, and communities.

Pet's Health, Your Health

See How Pets Can Support Healthy Aging With HABRI

Older woman petting cat

Explore the Next Benefit: Work Health

Coffee cup

References:

  1. https://habri.org/research/healthy-aging/
  2. Oka, K., & Shibata, A. (2009). Dog ownership and health-related physical activity among Japanese adults. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6(4), 412-418. https://habricentral.org/resources/34585
  3. Reeves, Matthew J., et al. “The impact of dog walking on leisure-time physical activity: results from a population-based survey of Michigan adults.” J Phys Act Health 8.3 (2011): 436-444. https://habricentral.org/resources/34617
  4. Anderson, W. P., Reid, C. M., & Jennings, G. L. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical journal of Australia, 157(5), 298-301. https://habricentral.org/resources/55397
  5. Kramer, Caroline K., Sadia Mehmood, and Renée S. Suen. "Dog ownership and survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 12.10 (2019): e005554. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554
  6. Levine, Glenn N., et al. "Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association." Circulation 127.23 (2013): 2353-2363. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1
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