How Owning a Dog Could Cut Your Dementia Risk by 40%

If you’ve ever felt like you’re signing up for lifetime walks, endless fur‑cleanup, and the chaotic joy that comes with dog ownership — well, what if the payoff included serious brain‑health benefits too? A new study suggests that owning a dog might lower the risk of developing disabling dementia by roughly 40% among older adults.

That’s not just a nice bonus—it’s a life-changing stat. And if you’re over 65, this might be one of the most underrated health hacks around.

Let’s break it all down.

The Study Everyone’s Talking About 🧪

Researchers in Japan followed over 11,000 adults aged 65–84 for about four years. Their goal? To understand if pet ownership had anything to do with developing disabling dementia.

Here’s what they found: