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OwnHaving a pet has already been linked to lower stress and blood pressure.
And now scientists say pets could also protect us from memory loss later in life.
Owners of animals including dogs, cats and rabbits were found to retain more of their cognitive abilities when tracked over six years.
For the study, the researchers tested more than 1,300 people with an average age of 65 years.
Fifty-three percent of them had pets, and almost a third of this group had owned their pet for more than five years.
A study found that owners of animals including dogs, cats and rabbits retained more of their cognitive abilities when tracked over six years (stock image).
Participants were asked to recall a list of ten words both immediately and after five minutes.
They had to count backwards from 20 and backwards from 100 by subtracting seven from each number.
The study found that after six years, long-time pet owners saw smaller declines in their average scores on these tests than those without pets.
There is increasing evidence that stress can lead to cognitive decline, and experts believe pets can help us stay mentally sharp by reducing stress.
People with dogs benefit from regular walks because exercise is linked to a healthier brain.
However, the study authors say people with better thinking skills may be more likely to have pets because they can handle their varied needs.
For the study, the researchers tested more than 1,300 people with an average age of 65 years. People with dogs benefit from regular walks as exercise is linked to a healthier brain (stock image)
The still unpublished study from the University of Michigan Medical Center was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.
Dr. Tiffany Braley, who led the study, said: “Previous studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and stress.
“Our results suggest that pet ownership may also protect against cognitive decline.”
In response to the study, Dr. Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK: “People love their animals and pets can be an important source of companionship and comfort throughout our lives.
“While this US study links pet ownership with some protection of memory and decline in thinking, it cannot tell us whether these are long-term benefits or whether owning a pet has an impact on dementia risk.
“This research has yet to be published, and it is not yet possible to decipher the reasons for the connection the researchers observed.”