The importance of the social environment to dogs' health

We all recognize that dogs are intensely social, with their human family, dogs, and even other pets. But how does the social environment affect dog's health?

In a recent study, researchers from the Dog Aging Project examined the social determinants of health and disease in companion dogs. They found that several factors in the dog's social environment were associated with their health and well-being.  

The benefits of sociality

Social species spend their lives embedded in a rich social framework. Think of mice defending their territory from neighboring groups or chimpanzees calculating how to rise in the dominance structure. Wild animals that live in social groups not only form strong emotional bonds, but also develop cognitive abilities and knowledge about their environment through interactions with others.

Sociality allows animals to cooperate, share information, protect each other from predators, find mates, access resources more efficiently, and increase their chances of survival and reproductive success by living in groups.

So, it should not be surprising that positive social interactions are a major predictor of long-term health in many animals, including humans. The Centers for Disease Control report that people with stronger social bonds and connections are more likely to live longer, healthier lives.

The social lives of dogs

We are just beginning to understand how social relationships affect humans. But what about dogs? Our canine pets descended from wolves that live in a pack with intricate dominance relationships, social roles, and strong bonds.

Some have suggested that dogs do not have the same dominance hierarchies as wolves, but this may depend on the environment. A study of free-ranging dog groups reported that dominance hierarchies were present in each group. Rank was based on age and not usually acquired through fighting because subordinates rely on the guidance of elders.

As pets, dogs do not often live in large groups and many live without other dogs. Do humans then form the dog’s pack? This is a common idea, but dogs clearly know that humans are not dogs. However, after 15,000 years of living with humans, it is not surprising that dogs do form a close relationship with the humans in their environment.

How the Dog Aging Project is unraveling the effects of the social environment on dogs' health

The type of social interactions that dogs have with people and other dogs and how they impact health and wellbeing is something that we are just beginning to understand. Scientists working with the Dog Aging Project recently investigated how the social environment of dogs was related to their health and how this changed across the lifespan.

The Dog Aging Project is a large-scale study that has been following the health and well-being of thousands of dogs over many years. The study included survey data collected on 21,410 dogs. The researchers found that these environmental factors were most influential on the dogs health: financial and family stability, the owner’s age, and availability of other pets in the house.

Key findings from the study:

• Social support was the most important factor. Dogs who lived with other dogs or pets were more likely to have better health. This may be due to the social stimulation and companionship that these interactions provide.  
• Dogs living in homes with financial challenges were more likely to have poorer health and lower physical mobility. This may be due to limited access to veterinary care, nutritious food, or exercise.  
• Stability in the social environment was also important. Dogs living in homes with more residential turnover were also more likely to have poorer health. This may be due to stress from frequent changes in their environment.
• Interestingly, the owner's age was also found to be associated with the dog's health. The study found that older owners had a stronger influence on younger dogs’ health compared to older ones. This may be due to the fact that older owners are more likely to have more experience in caring for dogs and may be more likely to provide them with the care and attention they need.  

Social companions are important for dogs' health

Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the social environment can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of companion dogs. Since dogs are social animals, having another canine companion might be the simplest decision that can make all the difference.

From my 40 years of experience as a pet parent, I can attest to how important a second dog has been to my best furry friends. After our dog Jacob passed, Toby hardly wanted to play or go outside despite receiving a lot of attention from us. After Blue arrived, Toby was like a new dog! He became active and playful with his new best buddy.

Focusing on social support for your dog may even help to maintain good health during times of financial challenges or changes in household stability.

Here are some ways to create a positive social environment for your dog:

• Spend time with your dog every day. Walks, playtime, training, and cuddling on the couch are important for every dog.
• Provide your dog with opportunities to socialize with other dogs. This could include having multiple pets at home, taking dogs to the dog park, enrolling them in doggy daycare, or setting up playdates with other dogs in your neighborhood.
• Create a safe and comfortable home environment for your dog. Providing your dog with a clean and comfortable place to sleep, plenty of toys, and access to fresh water.
• Make sure your dog gets regular veterinary care. This includes annual checkups, vaccinations, and dental care.
• Consider enrolling your dog in a training class. Not only can your dog learn good manners, but he can also socialize with other dogs.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your dog has a happy and healthy life.