#Pets

A growing body of research is shedding light on a delightful strategy for safeguarding cognitive health: keeping a pet dog or cat. As the Thai population rapidly ages and concerns about dementia and memory loss mount, recent international studies provide encouraging evidence that companionship from a furry friend could be a vital, joyful contributor to mental sharpness in later life. The latest findings, published in leading scientific journals and summarized in recent coverage by international and Thai media, point to a nuanced, species-specific association between pet ownership and the pace of cognitive decline.Kiplinger, Nature, The Guardian

A growing body of international research suggests that caring for a dog or a cat may support cognitive health as people age. For Thailand’s aging population, these findings offer a practical angle on maintaining mental sharpness as life expectancy rises. New studies indicate that pet ownership may be linked to slower decline in certain thinking skills over decades, with dogs showing notable benefits for memory and recall, and cats contributing to verbal fluency and some memory functions.

Talking to pets as if they are people may do more than entertain our furry friends — it could reflect and even strengthen vital emotional skills for their human companions, according to emerging research and expert analysis. As pet ownership grows steadily in Thailand and worldwide, scientists and psychologists are delving deeper into the social and psychological benefits of treating pets as conversational partners, with recent studies suggesting that these interactions are closely linked to seven distinct emotional strengths.

Talking to pets as if they understand us may reflect and strengthen important emotional abilities for owners. As pet ownership grows in Thailand and worldwide, researchers are exploring how dialogue with animals relates to well-being and social connection. Recent findings point to seven distinct emotional strengths linked to this habit.

In Thailand, more households welcome animals—from Bangkok apartments to rural homes—prompting researchers to re-examine how dialogue with pets affects daily life. Studies suggest that treating pets as if they can understand language is more than play; it may align with traits like empathy, resilience, creativity, mindfulness, compassion, self-awareness, and optimism, which support mental health and social functioning.