Fish or bird ownership showed no significant link to slower cognitive decline in study with implications for ageing societies

Fish or bird ownership showed no significant link to slower cognitive decline in study with implications for ageing societies

As global population ages and dementia rates climb, scientists may have found an unexpected ally in the fight against cognitive decline.

Cats and dogs may be exercising more than just your patience: they could be keeping parts of your brain ticking over too. In a potential breakthrough for preventive health, researchers have found that owning a four-pawed friend is linked to slower cognitive decline by potentially preserving specific brain functions as we grow older.

Interestingly, the associations differ depending on the animal: dog owners were found to retain sharper memory, both immediate and delayed, while cat owners showed slower decline in verbal fluency.

  • Showroom7561@lemmy.ca
    3·
    17 hours ago

    “A… bird’s short lifespan may potentially limit the level of emotional connection one is able to develop… ,” she said. “Bird ownership may negatively affect the owner’s sleep quality due to the increased noise levels, which has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline.”

    Dafuq? We adopted a parrot who was in his late 50s before he passed.

    And we’ve never had a bird make noise at night.

    Our cats on the other hand… Will try to sleep on your face 😂

      • Showroom7561@lemmy.ca
        1·
        10 hours ago

        With the exception of budgies, which might only live maybe 10 years, most pet birds easily live as long as cats and much longer than dogs, too.

        So I’m not sure what the author is talking about, and I still stand my point about birds at night.