Associations between dog and cat ownership, social integration, mental health and physical activity: A cross-sectional study from the SCAPIS population

Abstract

Background : It is thought that pets have positive effects on psychosocial factors and physical activity. However, earlier findings are inconsistent. In this study, we investigated the link between dog/cat ownership and social integration, mental and physical health and physical activity. Methods : This cross-sectional study comprised 4604 people, aged 50–64, from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS). Questionnaire data were used to assess dog/cat ownership. Social integration was self-reported and collected by the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. Mental health was investigated with the SF-12 questionnaire, and physical activity was self-reported. Multiple linear regressions and ordinal regressions were used to investigate the relationships with dog/cat ownership. The analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Results : Dog owners (n = 745) reported less social integration than non-dog owners, both regarding number of social contacts (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69, 0.92) and availability of close relationships (aOR 0.79, CI 0.67, 0.94). No differences in mental health status regarding dog/cat ownership were detected. Dog owners reported 2 hours more weekly walking time on average (p < 0.001) and 2 hours less sitting time (p = 0.016) compared to non-dog owners. A dose-response relationship was found regarding the dog owners’ responsibility for the dogs’ exercise and the reported amount of walking (p < 0.001). Cat owners (n = 1032) walked approximately 20 minutes less per week than non-cat owners (p = 0.02). Conclusions : Dog ownership was associated with less social integration and no differences in mental health were found between dog/cat owners compared to non-owners. Dog owners were more physically active, and there was a dose-response relationship between the proportion of the engagement in the dog’s daily exercise and the time spent walking. The relationship between dog ownership and physical activity is relevant in relation to cardiovascular health.