How Pets Help Seniors

Dogs are called “man’s best friend” for a reason - pets can make incredible companions for humans of any age. However, pets can be especially beneficial for seniors as they can be a wonderful way to relieve stress and keep elderly family members young.

Here are a few examples of how a furry friend could be just what the doctor ordered:

• Encourage exercise - One of the most obvious ways that owning a dog can benefit someone’s physical health is by encouraging exercise. Dogs need to be walked often, so you’ll be sure never to miss out on your exercise for the day. Those looking for increased levels of exercise can benefit from going on hikes and/or runs with their dogs.
  
  
• Provide company - Social interaction doesn’t have to just come from other people! Furry companions provide company for their elderly counterparts, and just being around an animal can boost your mood and release feel-good chemicals your brain that fights mood disorders like depression.
  
  
• Decrease stress - Petting a purring cat or snuggling a snoring dog can decrease cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone. Elevated cortisol levels over long periods of time can lead to unsavory health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Everyone can benefit from lower stress levels but studies have shown lower levels of anxiety for Alzheimer’s patients if there is a pet present in the home.
  
  
• Guide Animal - Depending on your healthcare needs, a guide animal may be an invaluable part of your care team. Support animals are available for a wide variety of medical conditions from seeing-eye dogs to dogs that are trained to alert their owners if they sense a drop in blood sugar or sense an oncoming seizure. Talk to your doctor about how a guide animal may work for you.

That being said, there are definitely things to consider before adding a pet to your family. You’ll want to consider carefully the amount of care a pet will require now and as they age, their likely lifespan, and the financial commitment (food, vet care, etc.) of owning a pet. Some kinds of pets can also be a trip hazard for seniors if they are often underfoot.



While owning a pet can be a lot of work, there are tons of physical and emotional benefits to enjoy if you’re up to it. Consider adopting a furry friend of your own today!