Walk or be walked by the dog? The attachment role

Area of Science:

• Human-Animal Interaction
• Companion Animal Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The human-animal bond is recognized for its positive impact on human and pet well-being.
• Studies suggest a link between pet ownership and improved health outcomes.
• Exploring the specific influence of attachment on dog owners' (DO) lifestyle and activity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of human-animal bond strength on physical activity (PA), lifestyle, and health outcomes in dog owners (DO).
• To highlight the reciprocal benefits derived from the relationship between DO and their dogs.
• To examine the correlation between pet attachment, PA levels, and lifestyle behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-eight dog owners (DO) and their dogs participated.
• Data collected included socio-demographics, Self-Rated Health (SRH), FANTASTICO Lifestyle Scale, and Lexington Attachment Pet Scale (LAPS).
• Physical activity (PA) for both DO and dogs was measured using accelerometers; descriptive statistics and Spearman correlations were employed.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between DO's light-intensity PA and dogs' vigorous-intensity PA (rho = 0.445, p = 0.01).
• Attachment to pets (LAPS) and perceived importance of pet health were linked to walking the dog.
• Healthier lifestyles in DO were associated with better SRH (rho = 0.39, p = 0.02) and greater concern for pet health (rho = 0.398, p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Healthier lifestyle choices in individuals correlate with better self-perceived health and increased concern for pet well-being.
• The human-animal bond significantly promotes healthy lifestyle behaviors and physical activity (PA) engagement in dog owners.
• Dog ownership is associated with higher PA levels in DO, with the strength of the human-animal bond being a key factor.