Having a long-term pet can delay memory loss and other types of cognitive decline (the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses), a new study has found.
Pets are useful for verbal memory, such as memorizing word lists, according to preliminary research.
"To our knowledge, our study is the first to examine the effect of the duration of keeping pets on cognitive health," author Jennifer Applebaum, a doctoral candidate in sociology and a fellow at the National Institutes of Health at the University of Florida, told CNN. s.
The study noted that it is not just cats and dogs that can empower the brain. The people in the study also cared for rabbits, hamsters, birds, fish and reptiles, Applebaum said, although "dogs were the most prevalent, followed by cats."
"These findings provide evidence to suggest that long-term pet ownership may protect mental health," said Tiffany Braley, a professor of neurology.
The study will be presented in April at the 74th Anniversary of the American Academy of Neurology.
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