Association between pet ownership and cardiovascular risks and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the association between pet ownership and cardiovascular risk factors and mortality. Electronic search was conducted through nine databases including PubMed for relevant publications reporting cardiovascular events and mortality among pet owners. Meta-analysis was used to pool the results. Of a total of 2818 reports screened, 26 studies were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. Higher survival rate was observed in the pet owners group after pooling nonadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios for cardiovascular mortality at 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62–0.86] and 0.81 (0.68–0.97), respectively. A similar trend was observed for the pooled nonadjusted hazard ratio for overall mortality 0.73 (0.62–0.87) but not the adjusted hazard ratio 0.40 (0.04–3.78). Cat owners have a reduction in cardiovascular mortality but not overall mortality after pooling the adjusted hazard ratio 0.79 (0.63–0.99) and 1.04 (0.90–1.21), respectively. However, no significant association between dog owners and survival rate was observed for overall and cardiovascular-specific mortality. Pet owners had significantly lower heart rate (mean difference 95% CI: −2.32 (−3.07 to −1.57), mean arterial pressure −2.60 (−4.25 to −0.95) and SBP −1.69 (−3.06 to −0.31) but not DBP −0.23 (−1.05 to 0.60). No significant difference was observed between pet owners and nonpet owners in prevalence of hypertension. Our study draws attention to the beneficial effects of the human--pet bond; therefore, we recommend pet acquisition for better cardiovascular outcomes after controlling for zoonotics and pet-induced allergies.

Cat and/or Dog Ownership, Cardiovascular Disease, and Obesity: A Systematic Review

“…Findings on the association between cat and/or dog ownership and both CVD and obesity were mixed. This is contrary to other systematic reviews [12,35,36] that reported a decreased risk, often modest, between pet ownership and all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular mortality. Further examination of these systematic reviews and metaanalyses show that the reported associations were restricted to subjects with post-ACS [12], cardiovascular mortality only [12,35], and reduced risk for cardiovascular mortality in the general population compared to people with CVD [35].…”

“…This is contrary to other systematic reviews [12,35,36] that reported a decreased risk, often modest, between pet ownership and all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular mortality. Further examination of these systematic reviews and metaanalyses show that the reported associations were restricted to subjects with post-ACS [12], cardiovascular mortality only [12,35], and reduced risk for cardiovascular mortality in the general population compared to people with CVD [35]. Given that these analyses were conducted according to specific parameters, including health status, the findings may not be comparable to those presented here.…”

Factors Informing the Return of Adopted Dogs and Cats to an Animal Shelter

“…Addressing the issue of pet retention is important due to the positive role pets play in communities [ 11 , 12 ]. Numerous studies have shown that companion animals can contribute to both human physical [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] and psychosocial health [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. On a larger scale, companion animals can help enhance community cohesion and social capital by facilitating social interaction, friendships, support networks, and civic engagement [ 23 , 24 ], and pet ownership has been shown to positively contribute to local economies [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

“In times of stress, it is good to be with them”: experience of dog owners from a rural district of Sri Lanka

“…Dog ownership is associated with positive health benefits [11,12]. Evidence suggests that dog ownership improves physical activity and cardiovascular health [13][14][15][16]. Dog owners who regularly walked their dogs had a lower chance of self-reported diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia compared to non-dog owners [17].…”