As you enter your golden days, adopting a pet can bring about innumerable benefits. Studies have shown that a little interaction with an animal triggers a range of positive hormonal changes in our brains. Apart from providing unconditional love, a pet comes with health benefits for seniors. Having cats and dogs as pets is linked to reduced loneliness and increased happiness. As the brain produces prolactin, oxytocin, and serotonin, stress levels drop.
Also, for the elderly, bonding with pets helps combat depression in them and also provides further health benefits from lowered cholesterol levels to reduced incidence of stroke and improved overall health and mobility. Pet for adults also provides them with a sense of self-worth and purpose. Pet adoption near you might be just what you need to stay happy and healthy.
Here are reasons why adopting a bet can be advantageous for the elderly. This blog post also contains factors that need to be considered by the elderly before adopting a pet. Let’s dive into it!
How adopting a pet can benefit seniors?
- Companionship
For any person especially for older adults, the companionship of a pet becomes an individual asset. Spending time with a cat or dog can reduce stress, combat loneliness and improve overall health. Seniors owning pets report feeling more engaged and alive in life. Taking frequent, short walks with a pet can lessen stress, anxiety, and depression. Seniors who own pets feel they are fulfilling a responsibility by serving someone. They can experience increased energy. Also, they need daily care, improve their health, and increase their activity level.
- Physical benefits
Studies show that apart from providing companionship, security, and friendship to seniors who are living on their own, to have a companion animal can improve the physical and mental health of a person in a plethora of ways. Elderly dog owners are seen to receive more exercise as compared to their counterparts, are given a sense of purpose, and suffer less loneliness.
Pet for adults can help them keep up with their fitness goals and their neighbors. Just playing fetch, feeding the pet on a schedule, and letting the pet outside is found to have a positive impact on the physical health of people. Petting an animal helps the body release a relaxation hormone while cutting the levels of stress hormones down and at the same time, it soothes the pet. Pet ownership also helps lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and stress.
Things to consider before adopting a pet
Many people see their most beloved pet as an irreplaceable member of their family. While owning a pet can be fulfilling, it is also a big responsibility. If you have health or mobility issues, it can be downright challenging. Here we give you a few pointers to consider before you are planning to bring a furball home.
- Your Physical Abilities
Caring for an animal needs agility, energy, and strength. Animals need exercise like humans. A cat might need playtime every evening or a dog may require many walks a day. Pets might need to be walked in every type of weather including rain, heat, snow, or cold. Consider other pet care duties like whether you can bend down to pick up the pet waste or can clean out a litter box. Or can you control a strong or large dog on a leash? A pet will be a tripping hazard if you have stability challenges. A hyper animal can knock you over by jumping on you. This can lead to broken bones and bad falls.
- Your Health
In some people, pet saliva, dander, or urine can cause allergic reactions. There are specific kinds of cats and dogs that shed less than others, you may still have allergies to these types also. No cat or dog breed is actually hypoallergic. If you have asthma or any other allergies, you are more prone to be allergic to pets. Some people may have asthma that is triggered by pet allergies. Breathing in animal allergies may make these respiratory symptoms worse.
Whether you are planning dogs or cats for adoption, an extra mess is a reality. So, choosing a pet based on how cute it looks first you need to consider whether you are prepared for that. Pets can also carry germs that are shared with other people. The probability of getting a disease or infection is low relatively but it is still advisable to talk to a veterinarian or family doctor about the types of pets that are safest for you. Older people and adults with weakened immune systems like the ones receiving chemotherapy have to take precautions while considering dogs for adoption. When around your pet, practice good hygiene habits like after picking up the pet waste, wash your hands.
- The Rersouce and time a pet need
Pets need constant care for quite a long time. Dogs live for around 10 to 15 years whereas outdoor cats live for around 7 years and indoor cats live for around 14 years. Apart from being able to meet the needs of your pets physically, make sure you can take good care of the animal mentally. You will have to groom them, keep up with veterinarian visits, give them medication, feed them, and shop for them.
An average pet owner has to spend around $500 to $1600 every year on pet expenses. You will have to forge a relationship with a vet nearby to help you along your new journey. Check for an adoption center nearby and start by asking family and friends for recommendations on vets. Check online to find plenty of feedback, reviews, and testimonials.
- Consider the ruler concerning your pets
If you live in an assisted living community, you need to be certain whether the rules allow you to accommodate your pet. The majority of senior societies are pet-friendly. However, there are certain restrictions in place so it is advisable not to push forward with the pet adoption until you are sure it is acceptable.
Moreover, ensure that your pet is home-friendly. Learn about plants poisonous to cats and dogs. Make sure you do not have any sugar-free gum or ibuprofen gum lying around, toxic to dogs and cats respectively. Think about pet-height cabinets and cords along with the rest of the potential hazards.
- Investigate the ongoing and upfront costs
Did you consider how much will owning your favorite pet cost you? Starting from the initial cost through general upkeep, food, and vaccinations, are you ready to take on this additional expense?
In your senior years, adopting a pet must bring about a shower of benefits but do not proceed if you will be financially overextending yourself.
Wrapping up
For seniors, animals can be great companions offering potential health benefits and unconditional love. However, owning a cat or a dog is a lot of work. Choose the one with a personality and activity level that fits your lifestyle. Search for cats or dogs, or any other options for pet adoption near you. Consider adopting an older pet from an adoption center near you rather than a kitten or puppy. Younger pets take a lot of energy and time to train. Ask your local animal shelters about foster programs or volunteer opportunities.
FAQs
Is it good for senior citizens to have a pet?
Adopting a pet increases prospects for outdoor activities and exercise and also enhances better cognitive function in older adults. It provides them with more opportunities to socialize. Also, having a pet is linked to health benefits like decreased triglyceride levels, cholesterol levels, and decreased blood pressure.
What kind of pet is best suited for the elderly?
For senior citizens who do not necessarily have the energy or strength to take a dog on a walk but love to have a companion, cats make wonderful companions. Also, pugs are excellent pets for seniors because they do not need much exercise and are very low maintenance. They love to nap and are also loyal. Moreover, they love to spend maximum time indoors.
Is 70 years age too late to adopt a pet?
With a little planning and some careful choices, you can have a pet at any time in your life. When you are not a kid, as it turns out, this is the time when you wish to have a pet the most. Age is not a factor if you are a car or dog lover. Whether you are 20 or 70, the reassuring purr and the soft fur will bring endless joy.
