5 Benefits of Having a Pet as a Senior

Anyone who has had a pet understands the pure joy of having an extra set of feet – or paws, in this case – pattering around the house and spreading love to each family member. Pets are pure comfort and joy. They are not just ‘items’ or ‘accessories’ to show off to your neighbors or houseguests – surprisingly, they have been proven to have both physical and mental benefits for people of all ages. Owning a pet as a senior can thus be quite advantageous. Below are five benefits of having a pet as a senior or an aging adult.

1) Companionship

Aging can sometimes be lonely. Watching your loved ones grow older, find job prospects or partners, and move out or away can be bittersweet. In some cases, it is not possible to see them every day, and depending on your circumstances, you might be feeling lonely and isolated. You are not alone in this regard; these feelings are commonly experienced by seniors and aging adults. 

Nevertheless, pets are wonderful sources of companionship and make excellent, loyal friends. Their presence and the bonds you will form with them can decrease loneliness and isolation significantly, and they can also be sources of sociability as you ‘speak’ to them and they respond back in their own special way, through obeying commands or barking and meowing back. You will rarely feel alone with your lively companion in the house!

An adorable kitten sitting on its owner’s bed

2) Daily Exercise

Most pets increase your activity levels, as you will need to tend to them and their needs. Some pets, however, demand more attention and energy than others, such as dogs or even very playful cats. Either way, exercising is important for people of all ages, and must be continued during the aging process. 

Animals are active by nature, so responding to your pet’s energy levels is part of the package of owning one. Dogs need to be walked every day, and all animals need to be played with or they grow restless. However, even smaller tasks such as walking around the house to interact with your furry friend, feeding them, and petting them can serve as light exercise. Having a pet is great fun and is also great for your health! 

3) Security and Protection

Many seniors live alone for various reasons, perhaps because they wish to remain at home, because they prefer having some alone time, and more. However, it can get lonely, and you may not always be alert in case of an emergency. 

Pets are a great source of comfort in many ways, the protection they provide being a notable one. Your pet can ward off possible thieves or intruders by attacking them or howling and meowing at them if anything were to happen while you were asleep or unalert. They are also intelligent beings and can tell when something is wrong with you. You can also simply rest easy and sleep a little deeper at night knowing that there is another being with you in the house that loves you unconditionally and that would do anything for you, ultimately leaving you with a greater sense of security and protection. 

Two energetic pups running outside

4) Routine and Responsibility

Our lives can really change once we have established a routine. Many seniors often feel despondent or disoriented due to excessive free time. Luckily, pet ownership is a responsibility that instills an additional sense of purpose and dignity into pet owners. These feelings come with having a routine.

Your pet must be fed, groomed, and played with. They are intelligent creatures and learn by association, so if you feed them at certain points in the day, they will remember what times they are fed and might even alert you of their playtime or feeding times if you forget. 

These added responsibilities and attendant routine activities can strengthen your cognitive capacities, thus exercising your brain (and body) and protecting you against diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Establishing a structured routine even gives you a sense of order and is beneficial for you and your pet, who will quickly settle into a routine alongside you. 

5) Improved Physical and Mental Health

All these benefits evidently accumulate to improve your physical and mental health. Having something to care for boosts your self-esteem by giving you a sense of purpose and thus decreases your chances and levels of loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression, and more. Oxytocin is often released around pets and can be released by humans and animals, which naturally lowers stress levels. 

The activity provided by owning a pet also induces blood circulation and weight loss or weight maintenance, resulting in less health problems and a healthier lifestyle that can allow you to live a longer, happier, and more fulfilled life. In fact, people with pets have higher heart attack survival rates, lower blood pressure and resting heart rates, and can recover from stress much quicker. Overall, pets can greatly improve your quality of life in many aspects and are definitely worth it. 

A senior nuzzling his pet cat affectionately

If you have the means to get a pet and are ready to make this lifestyle change, contact and check with your doctors or caregivers to ensure that you are in good shape and capacity to own a pet. If you decide to get one, our caregivers are always here to help you in any way, including assisting you in caring for your pet if you are too tired or if they are engaging in strenuous play. Check out our Instagram page for more senior health and wellness tips, or for more insight on our home care services.