Scientific Results: Social determinants of health and disease in companion dogs: A cohort study from the Dog Aging Project
June 20, 2023 - 8 minutes readWho worked on this research?
Brianah (Bri) M McCoy
Layla Brassington
Kelly Jin
Greer A Dolby*
Sandi Shrager
Devin Collins
Matthew Dunbar
Dog Aging Project Consortium
Audrey Ruple
Noah Snyder-Mackler
Where was it published?
Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health
What is this paper about?
In this study, we explored how the social environment affects the health and well-being of companion dogs. We closely looked at data from over 21,000 dogs that are part of the Dog Aging Project and linked different components of the dog’s environment to their health. Dogs in lower-income houses or areas with more residential turnover had poorer health and less physical mobility. While these adverse environmental factors were linked to poorer health, things that capture positive social environments, like social support (e.g., living with other dogs), were associated with better health outcomes for the dogs, even after taking into account their age and weight. What’s interesting is that not all environmental components had the same impact: social support was 5x more predictive of dog health compared to financial factors. This suggests that having companionship and interaction with other dogs can greatly contribute to a dog’s overall well-being.
Taking advantage of the broad age range of dogs in the Dog Aging Project Pack, we could also look at how environmental effects on health changed with dog age. For instance, we found a stronger relationship between the owner’s age and the dog’s health in younger dogs compared to older ones. This highlights the importance of considering both the age of the dog and the owner’s age when studying the impact of the social environment on dog health. Overall, our findings suggest that there are behavioral or environmental factors that can be modified to promote healthy aging in dogs and potentially in other species as well.
What do these results mean for me and my dog?
The findings of this study have important implications for both dog owners and the general public, shedding light on how the social environment influences the health and well-being of companion dogs. These insights can help us make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions to ensure our furry friends lead happy and healthy lives.
The study highlights the significance of financial and household stability for dog health. It suggests that dogs living in environments facing financial difficulties or unstable household conditions may experience poorer health outcomes and reduced physical mobility. Understanding this connection can be particularly valuable for dog owners who may be going through challenging financial times. By being aware of the potential impact on their dog’s health, they can take proactive steps to provide the necessary care and support.
On the other hand, the study emphasizes the importance of social support for dogs’ well-being. Dogs that have companionship and opportunities for social interaction, such as living with other dogs, were found to have better health outcomes. This underscores the significance of fostering social connections and ensuring our dogs have opportunities to interact with their fellow canines. Consider arranging playdates or safely visiting dog parks to promote their social well-being.
It is important to note that the impact of the social environment on dog health is not uniform across all factors. The study reveals that social support has a significantly stronger influence on dog health compared to financial factors. This knowledge can help us prioritize providing social support for our dogs, recognizing its significant contribution to their overall well-being.
The veterinarians from the Dog Aging Project stress the importance of considering both the age of the dog and the owner’s age when interpreting these findings. The study found that the owner’s age had a stronger relationship with the dog’s health in younger dogs compared to older ones. This suggests that younger dogs may be more sensitive to the influence of the owner’s age on their health. Veterinarians can use this understanding to offer tailored advice and recommendations to dog owners based on specific age-related considerations.
Where can I learn more?
McCoy, B. M., Brassington, L., Jin, K., Dolby, G. A., Shrager, S., Collins, D., Dunbar, M., Ruple, A., & Snyder-Mackler, N. (2023). Social determinants of health and disease in companion dogs: A cohort study from the Dog Aging Project. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eoad011
Abstract
Exposure to social environmental adversity is associated with health and survival across many social species, including humans. However, little is known about how these health and mortality effects vary across the lifespan and may be differentially impacted by various components of the environment. Here, we leveraged a relatively new and powerful model for human aging, the companion dog, to investigate which components of the social environment are associated with dog health and how these associations vary across the lifespan. We drew on comprehensive survey data collected on 21,410 dogs from the Dog Aging Project and identified five factors that together explained 33.7% of the variation in a dog’s social environment. Factors capturing financial and household adversity were associated with poorer health and lower physical mobility in companion dogs, while factors that captured social support, such as living with other dogs, were associated with better health when controlling for dog age and weight. Notably, the effects of each environmental component were not equal: the effect of social support was 5x stronger than financial factors. The strength of these associations depended on the age of the dog, including a stronger relationship between owner’s age and the dog’s health in younger as compared to older dogs. Taken together, these findings suggest the importance of income, stability, and owner’s age on owner-reported health outcomes in companion dogs and point to potential behavioral and/or environmental modifiers that can be used to promote healthy aging across species.
Tags: Scientific Results