Small dogs are less likely to suffer from digestive problems, infections and hormonal imbalances; This may explain why they live longer on average than larger breeds. This has been shown by a study published in the journal. PLOS One.
Scientists analyzed data from 25 thousand dogs from 238 breeds in the United States. In general, larger dogs in the study were more likely to experience certain health problems at some point in their lives: cancer, infections, diseases of the skeletal, gastrointestinal, nervous or endocrine systems, and diseases of the ear, nose and throat. But smaller dogs were more likely to have eye, heart, liver and pancreas problems. History of kidney, bladder, or urinary tract disease did not differ between large and small dogs.
The associations between diseases and dog size persisted even after the researchers controlled for the dogs’ gender, where they lived, and whether they were purebred or mixed breed. The researchers noted that their study did not support a causal relationship between dog size and health. However, the results provide valuable information for future research.
Previous scientists I learnedthat pets reduce the risk of dementia in older adults living alone.
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Source: Gazeta
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