A friend recently told me that she was worried that her dog might be lonely. He is the only dog in the house and there is no park nearby where he can interact with other animals. “Does my dog need friends? Should I let him play, get him a date with other dogs, for example”, she asked me.
I had to admit that I didn’t have much experience with this concern. I currently live in a house with two dogs, but before I lived with my husband and his dog, mine seemed not to be bothered by her canine loneliness — and even rejoiced in it. He was the type of dog that preferred to sniff around the outside of the park rather than play inside.
Social interaction is clearly important for human physical and mental health. Is it also relevant for dogs? Should I have worried more?
According to Noah Snyder-Mackler, who is a professor at Arizona University of Life Sciences, “there are many variations in dogs’ needs.” “Not all domestic animals are necessarily better off or happier with other animals of the same species.” Still, the results of an investigation led by Snyder-Mackler last year conclude that companionship (both canine and human) has a major impact on a dog’s health and lifespan.
The study, which was published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, questioned owners of more than 21,000 dogs about various aspects of their companion animal’s life, including whether they had another dog, the animal’s physical activity and health, among other aspects. The owners also provided information about themselves.
The researchers used this data to determine five key factors that influence a dog’s social environment: stability of the area where they live, total household income, time spent with adults and children, time spent with animals, and age of dog owners. dogs. Of these, the companionship of adults and other dogs was found to have the greatest positive impact on a dog’s health as it ages. In fact, it was five times higher than any other factor.
“Dogs are social animals. It’s a little frustrating, and it’s not good for their health and well-being, not having close social partners”, highlights the study’s author.
Noah Snyder-Mackler also says that the study results do not necessarily mean that adopting a second dog makes the first dog’s life better or longer. (However, he revealed that his wife, a psychology professor, used the results as an excuse to get a second dog.)
Furthermore, he found that humans can be equally good (and, for some dogs, better) social partners for companion animals — each animal is unique and not all dogs enjoy the company of their peers. However, what the results clearly show is that strong social companionship has a positive effect on the animal’s health and well-being.
That said, how can you know if you are giving your dog the necessary company he needs?
“When there is something missing from a dog’s routine we see it manifest in terms of ‘bad behavior’ or anxiety-related responses,” highlights Zachary Silver, professor of Psychology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, who will open a laboratory to study canine behavior. “And it’s not always obvious what the origin might be,” he adds.
Although it is best to consult your dog’s veterinarian if you are concerned about his behavior, one of the reasons that may explain his actions is the lack of social companionship. Zachary Silver compares it to a lack of adequate exercise.
Like Noah Snyder-Mackler, the Psychology professor points out that a dog’s social needs can often be met by its owner, especially if the owner is spending a good amount of time with it.
For animals that get along well with other dogs, Zachary says that it is like a child who only lives with their parents instead of playing with other children of the same age.
Exclusive PÚBLICO/ The Washington Post
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