The Benefits Of Pets For Older People – And How To Ensure It’s A Successful Relationship!

Pets bring a plethora of benefits to our lives, and I’ve found this to be especially true with older people.

So for this month’s article, I’m looking at the role pets play in the lives of older people – the benefits and how to choose the right match at this stage in our lives.

The Benefits Of Pets For Older People

Many older people experience loneliness – one study indicated 21% of its elderly respondents felt lonely,¹ which is a heart-breaking statistic. One of the biggest benefits of pet ownership in my mind, is the fact that pets bring companionship and reduce feelings of loneliness,² providing constant emotional support and unconditional love. Having a pet can fill your days with joy and purpose!

Plus walking a dog, visiting the vet, or going to cafés together can open opportunities for social interaction, helping older adults stay connected to their community. The blue line study identified a purpose and social interaction as critical to health and longevity!

Caring for a pet can also offer a sense of responsibility and routine, which is beneficial for seniors who might have finished up with their working life and otherwise have a lack of structure to their days. Feeding, walking, grooming and playing with pets can give purpose. After I personally lost my 3 dogs a couple of years back, I realised how much I needed those regular dopamine hits from smooching my dogs. It’s such a visceral reward, and I am greatly enjoying having my new golden retriever Awa now to fill that hole in my life.

Studies have also shown that interactions with pets can lower stress, reduce blood pressure and improve overall mental health for elderly individuals.³ Having a pet even helps you stay sharp as you age!

Finally, simply patting a dog or cat releases oxytocin which promotes feelings of happiness and relaxation, so they’re excellent therapy companions.

How To Find The Right Match

However, for pet ownership to be successful and enriching for older people, it’s ESSENTIAL to get the right match. Here are some considerations:

Dog vs cat

Cats are smaller and can be cared for with much less effort compared with dogs. They take up less space, need less food, don’t need walking and usually don’t need grooming yet are still excellent for comfort and social contact. So cats are good for those with less energy and physical capability. Dogs need more care and exercise, which would suit those with more active lifestyles.

Age

The age of the pet you choose should reflect where you are at in your life. Adopting a kitten or puppy as you approach 90 may not be wise, unless you have a good plan for their care should they outlive you (and the energy and physical capability to raise and train an energetic young creature!). Senior pets tend to have lower exercise requirements and be quite content to spend lots of time cuddling and dozing, which may suit some older people. However, a puppy or kitten is still a good choice at the younger end of the “elderly” spectrum if you can foresee being able to care for them well for 10-15 years or have an option for their care later ongoing if you can’t.

Breed

If getting a dog, the breed must be carefully considered to ensure it’s a good fit as you age – consider how your life might change over the next 15 years and ensure the breed you are choosing fits with that picture. I would generally suggest steering clear of working breeds and other breeds with very high physical and mental stimulation needs, unless you are currently highly active and have a plan for how you’d meet their high needs should you become less able to do so yourself. I would also steer clear of very large, powerful breeds that can be difficult to manage as your strength diminishes as you age, and often times alert dogs/watch dogs can become tricky, particularly if you need to move into a retirement village or similar – where many neighbours in close quarters may not appreciate the sound of your dog’s voice!

Calm companion breeds (or cross-breeds with a companion breed in the mix) are often a good choice e.g. King Charles Spaniels, Papillons, Pugs, Shih Tzus or Golden Retrievers if you can handle the bigger breed. If you like a bit more spunk, then White Highland or Scotty Terriers and the Border Terrier is good too, but do your own homework on the traits of each breed to find a good match.

Financial Commitment

Pets require an investment in food, veterinary care, insurance, grooming, and supplies. For pensioners, it’s important to feel confident that owning a pet will fit within the budget.

Plan For The Future

Whenever an older person is getting a pet, it’s important to have a long-term plan for the pet’s care. Consider if your pet is likely to outlive you – who would take over their care? Or if your life situation should change e.g. is it possible you might downsize to a smaller property, move into a retirement village or require rest home care? Consider all the possibilities over the likely timeframe of your pet’s life, write down your intentions for your pet if your situation should change, and make sure a key family member knows of your plans and wishes for your pet.

Dog Sharing

In some cases, getting a pet just won’t be a practical choice for an older person. However, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the benefits!

Dog sharing is a wonderful win-win situation for all involved. For an older person without a pet, it’s an opportunity to experience the countless benefits of pet companionship that we listed above.

For the dogs themselves, sharing means additional companionship, cuddles, mental stimulation, outings, and social interaction. They get to enjoy extra love and attention, which can make a huge difference in their lives, particularly when their owners are busy with work or other commitments.

And for dog owners, it brings peace of mind and happiness knowing that their pets are getting extra company, stimulation, and exercise when they can’t be there.

If this option feels the best for you, chat to friends and neighbours that you might be able to dog share with, or look into platforms like Share My Pet or The Dog Share Collective that connect dog owners with dog lovers.

I also work with a wonderful organisation called Canine Friends Pet Therapy, where volunteers take their calm and sociable dogs to the likes of rest homes and hospitals to provide pet therapy to those who can’t have their own pets.

Final Word…

For me, communion with animals is a must – we are all interdependent and connected! I have witnessed in thousands of cases the huge role dogs and cats play in the lives of elderly people, fulfilling critical needs on a very special and important level. With the right consideration, preparation and training, a pet can be the most wonderful addition to an older person’s life.