Family dogs improve adolescent mental health by altering gut microbes

newsweek.com

Family dogs are linked to improved adolescent mental health and behavior, with a new study suggesting a connection to changes in the body's microbes. Researchers found that owning a dog at age 13 predicted higher mental health and behavioral scores, with fewer social problems observed in dog-owning teens. The study suggests that symbiotic microorganisms, altered by living with dogs, may foster prosocial tendencies and empathy in adolescents.


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Family dogs improve adolescent mental health by altering gut microbes | News Minimalist