Dog ownership, dog walking, and physical function in mid-older adults: findings from the HABITAT cohort study

Objectives:
To examine the longitudinal effects of dog ownership and dog walking on self-reported and objective measures of physical function in mid- to older-aged adults.

Design:
Observational cohort study.

Methods:
A sub-sample of participants in ‘How Areas in Brisbane Influence healTh and AcTivity’ (HABITAT) self-reported dog ownership, dog walking, and overall physical function, and completed objective balance, grip strength, and Function Fitness Test assessments twice over two years of follow-up. Dog walkers and non-dog walkers were compared with non-dog owners. Analyses were conducted separately for males (n = 299) and females (n = 445) using linear and generalised linear mixed effects models.

Results:
There were few differences in physical function between groups at the first assessment nor differences in changes over time. The only exceptions were, at the first assessment, female non-dog walkers completed fewer sit-to-stands, had lower odds of completing the one leg balance test, and had lower physical function scores than female non-dog owners. Female dog walkers also had lower physical function scores at the first assessment than female non-dog owners. Female non-dog walkers' likelihood of completing the one leg balance test increased over time in contrast to no change among non-dog owners, and at the second assessment there were no differences between these groups.

Conclusions:
Dog ownership and dog walking did not benefit physical function in this sample. Participants had good physical function and the few between-group differences are unlikely to impact their capacity to perform everyday activities. Future research should examine effects over longer time periods and in older participants.