GabyIt turns out that socialization is beneficial not only for humans but also for our pets. A team of researchers from several leading scientific centers in the U.S. conducted a large-scale study and discovered that communication helps domestic dogs maintain their health throughout their lives. Scientists recommend that dog owners allow their pets to “run with the pack” as often as possible. According to the researchers, the benefits of socialization are five times more significant than other studied aspects of a dog’s life.
What the Researchers Found
This study is currently the largest of its kind. The team analyzed data from 21,410 dogs of various breeds to gain insights into what is beneficial and harmful to their health. All the information was gathered through surveys of pet owners, covering a range of factors, with communication emerging as the most crucial for improving health. After accounting for factors such as age and weight, the researchers found that interaction with other dogs and people was linked to better health and a longer lifespan for beloved pets. This suggests that for the health of dogs and many other social beings (including humans), having a wide network of communicative connections can be very important. This was commented on by biologist Brian McCoy from Arizona State University.
The health and mobility of pets were also significantly influenced by “financial and household difficulties” (including income levels). However, this factor was far less significant than communication. The team also discovered that a high number of children in a household was associated with negative impacts on a dog’s health. This can be explained by the fact that larger families tend to spend more time caring for children than interacting with their pets. Additionally, the researchers reported that a greater number of illnesses in domestic dogs were typically diagnosed in families with higher incomes. This may seem surprising, but it likely occurs because wealthier dog owners have better access to medical care, allowing for timely diagnosis of illnesses, as reported by Science Alert.
Key Takeaways
The team emphasized that their analysis is based on reports from dog owners, and such information may include some inaccuracies and biases. However, the data is sufficient to highlight the importance of a social lifestyle for the health and longevity of domestic dogs. The amount of care and attention a person gives to their dogs, along with their relatively short lifespan, makes these animals particularly interesting for researchers. This is especially true for those studying how society and the environment affect animal health as they age. In the future, the team aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that may underlie the connection between dog socialization and their lifespan.
“In future studies, we will use electronic veterinary medical records, molecular and immunological measurements, as well as physical tests in home settings to obtain more accurate indicators of health and vulnerability in companion dogs,” noted Dr. Noah Snyder-Mackler from Arizona State University. The findings from this research were published in the journal Evolution, Medicine & Public Health.
