🧬 Dogs are now a big weapon against Dementia.

Aging adults who care for dogs are significantly less likely to develop dementia.

A study published in the December edition of Preventive Medicine Reports has revealed that dog owners over the age of 65 were 40% less likely to develop dementia.

What about cats? well…they weren’t studied. 🤷

“This study showed that physical activity, including having an exercise habit and social participation through daily dog care can prevent dementia in older adults,” the authors wrote.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a severe memory loss condition, including struggles with language, problem-solving and other thinking activities that interfere with day-to-day life, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.

How big of an issue is this?

The World Health Organization reported that 55 million people globally are currently living with dementia.

Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology looked at 12,000 residents of the Japanese city, finding that dog ownership means they’ll be more likely to leave the house, thus increasing human-to-human interaction and exercising the brain.

Following a four-year study period, owning a dog had a “suppressive effect” on dementia development, even after adjusting for background factors.

“Specifically, dog owners with an exercise habit and no social isolation had a significantly lower risk of disabling dementia,” the report read.

Having a furry companion typically increases both physical activity and social interactions simply while taking your pet on a walk — both of which are vital factors in maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline.

“Dog care might contribute to the maintenance of physical activity, including having an exercise habit, and social participation even in the face of restrictions to interactions such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” researchers concluded.

While the likelihood of developing dementia was higher for dog owners who did not regularly exercise and were socially isolated, it was still lower than someone who did not have a dog and didn’t exercise or socialize.

Meanwhile, evidence found in recent studies suggests spending just five to 20 minutes petting a dog can drop levels of the stress hormone cortisol in people.

Dogs, people. Dogs.

💰 Family’s dog eats $4,000. Watch what happens…

A Pittsburgh couple's finnicky dog decided to have an expensive snack when he ate and destroyed nearly $4,000 in cash last month, leading his owners on a delicate recovery mission.

On Dec. 8, Clayton and Carrie Law couldn't believe their dog, Cecil, had eaten the $4,000 cash they had just withdrawn from the bank. Clayton had set the money on the kitchen table, and 30 minutes later, Cecil decided to eat the money.

During the course of the next three days, Cecil excreted $50 and $100 bills. The family got to digging. Plug your nose, friends.

Overheard at a coffee shop ☕

“Did you do anything for new years?”

“No. Benji threw up on our new suede sofa… 2025 is going to be my year.”

Big Dog Coffee, Pittsburgh, PA

🍋 “The Squeeze”: Dog News In 60 Seconds 🍋

•  🍔 Picky eater? Wait til you learn about this dog that won’t eat…unless it’s topped with ranch dressing?!

• 🆕 Welcome to the club, Lancashire heeler! The AKC just got a new breed and it’s invited to our lunch table…

• 🚿 The Mahomes family just showed the world their dog shower, and it’s calling all of us poor in 10 different languages.

• 👏 Bravo Deltona, Florida! They just passed a mandate requiring all residents to give their dogs daily exercise.

• 🏛️ The National Museum of Natural History just studied a 160-year-old dog pelt. See what they learned.

• 🏒 The Las Vegas Golden Knights need help naming their new dog!

• 🏞️ What Bully Ban?! Meet the woman that’s letting XL Bullies run free at Jurassic Park.

• 🚗 These dogs caused $350,000 worth of damages at a car dealership.

Today’s Last Laugh:

Please don’t sneeze… please don’t sneeze… please don’t sneeze…

@petsdog1903

Good job #pet #xuhuong #dog #fyp #petsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok