The old expression, “man’s best friend” may also soon be termed “man’s best walking partner.”  And for older adults, this can be a key motivator to keeping them physically active.   

A recent 2016 study from the University of Missouri found that dog walking is positively related to the physical health of older adults. This is great news for any adult over the age of 60 to own a dog, not just for companionship but to keep them moving enhancing their health.  Pet ownership is strongly correlated with health improvements in reducing depression, lowering blood pressure and giving a boost to the immune system.  But not all pets can be taken outdoors and walked on a leash like a dog. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults of all ages engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.  Walking is the perfect activity for most adults older than 60 years of age.  It’s a low impact form of exercise requiring no special equipment, facilities or training, it’s self-paced, and can be enjoyed with others such as your dog.  Older adults who regularly walk have better functional mobility, lower risk for coronary heart disease, reduced fall risk, improvements to lower limb strength, improved aerobic endurance, and have a lower likelihood of mortality.  In 2013, The American Heart Association issued a statement declaring dog ownership to be associated with decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease attributable to walking a dog. 

Researchers from the University of Missouri led by senior author, Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary of Medicine, found evidence for the association between dog walking and seniors having a lower body mass index, fewer activity of daily living limitations, fewer doctor visits, and more frequent moderate and vigorous exercise. 

Having a strong bond with a dog appears to make a person more likely to want to walk their dog. Dog lovers feel a sense of responsibility to provide exercise for their dog, which is essentially an underlying motivator for dog walking.  People owning dogs are also more likely to walk year round, even during winter months, when many people decrease or even stop recreational walking.

Walking a dog has special qualities for seniors.  It not only significantly increases the likelihood of achieving the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity each week, making seniors less sedentary than seniors who do not own a dog, but they also report have a better sense of community. 

This study points out strong evidence of dog ownership to be a valuable method of keeping older adults moving, active and remaining healthy.  Medical professionals should inquire of pet ownership of older adults and should offer the recommendation of dog ownership to improve patient health.  Doing so may translate in reduced health care expenditures for older adults when healthcare costs are spiraling out of control.  Long-term care facilities and other types of retirement communities should encourage more pet-friendly policies such as allowing trails for dog walking and making it easier in general to be a dog owner. 

As we age, we all need companionship.  Owning a dog is one of the best ways to receive loyalty, friendship, and love and now walking a dog appears to be a ticket to unleashing good health well into our golden years.