Study Reveals Dog Ownership Enhances Teen Mental Health Through Oral Microbiome Changes

Recent research from Azabu University in Japan uncovers compelling evidence that owning a dog during adolescence can positively influence mental health by altering the oral microbiome and boosting social behavior. The study, led by Eiji Miyauchi and Takefumi Kikusui, involved 343 thirteen-year-olds, 96 of whom lived with dogs. Analysis showed that teenagers owning dogs had significantly lower behavioral problems, such as social and aggressive issues, as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

Microbial analysis through 16S-rRNA sequencing highlighted notable differences: dog-owning teens exhibited a higher prevalence of the Streptococcus bacterial genus in their oral flora, with certain Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) correlating to reduced behavioral problems. This suggests that bacteria from dogs may provide protective effects on adolescent mental health.

To further validate these findings, researchers transplanted saliva microbiota from teenagers with and without dogs into germ-free mice. Mice receiving microbiota from dog owners showed increased social activities, confirming the microbiome's influence on behavior.

This Japanese study contributes to a growing body of evidence that dog ownership not only improves emotional well-being but also biologically impacts psychological health through microbial symbiosis. It builds on prior studies noting adolescents growing up with dogs feel more socially integrated and mentally stable. The research focuses specifically on changes in the oral microbiome, complementing earlier findings regarding gut microbiota’s role in mental health via the gut-brain axis.

While limitations exist, including the urban demographic focus and methodological differences in microbiome analysis, these insights highlight the complex microbiome-brain-behavior connection and emphasize dogs as beneficial companions promoting social development and psychological resilience in youth.