How your DOG could signal you have diabetes: Pet lovers share the same risk of developing the condition as their pooches… because they lead similar lifestyles
- Study also suggested that people often have similar eating habits to their pets
- Research, published in British Medical Journal, analysed 175,000 dog owners
- It compared their health records to their dog’s vet records over a six-year period
It is often said that owners look like their dogs – but it seems this is not the only thing they have in common.
Pet lovers share the same risk of developing type 2 diabetes as their canines, researchers have found.
This is likely to be because they have similar lifestyles and activity levels, with dogs and their owners going on long – or short –walks together.
The study also suggested that people often have similar eating habits to their pets.
It is often said that owners look like their dogs – but it seems this is not the only thing they have in common . Pet lovers share the same risk of developing type 2 diabetes as their canines, researchers have found
The research, published in the British Medical Journal, analysed 175,000 dog owners.
It compared their health records to their dog’s vet records over a six-year period to see if they developed the disease.
They found that owners who had a dog with the disease were 38 per cent more likely to also develop type 2 diabetes.
And dogs whose owners had diabetes were 28 per cent more likely to also have the disease.
Experts said that, in addition to having similar exercise levels, dog owners often share snacking habits with their dogs.
For example, a person may snack more often and when they do, their pet also receives a treat.
The study said: ‘The use and timing of dog treats has been associated with the weight of owners.
‘Dietary habits of the dog owners might also influence their pets’ diet and risk of adiposity – for example through portion control, frequency of feedings and whether owners provide table scraps in addition to dog food.’
It concluded: ‘Possible explanations for these findings include shared lifestyle behaviours, such as physical activity levels and dietary habits between dog owners and their dogs, that affect the risk of diabetes.’
The researchers also looked at 23,000 cat owners and found there was no similar association as felines are more aloof.
The research was led by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Kennel Club.