Pet Ownership: Benefits For Older Adult

Funny how we feel our dogs need to go out for a walk, but the truth is it is us who need the walking!

How many of us have turned to a beloved pet in times of loneliness or personal turmoil? Many of us take our furry friends for granted as constant companions who help us get through daily challenges big and small

That is why Alice, 68, decided to adopt a small dog. Alice was retired, and her husband had passed away. Living on her own for the first time in her life, Alice was terribly lonely. To make the transition easier, she adopted a small dog. The pup brought so much hope and happiness into her life!

But soon it became obvious to Alice that she would not be able to give her wonderful pet the attention and care he needed. Faced with early signs of dementia, Alice made the painful decision to rehome her dog. It broke Alice’s heart to give him up, but she knows it was the right choice at the time. “I need to take care of myself first. I did the right thing,” she says.

Pets bring such richness and joy to our lives, but for older adults, pet ownership can be a little more complicated. Knowing the benefits and resources available can help you make a better decision about caring for your pets.

Pet Ownership has many Benefits for Older Adults

Welcoming a pet into your life – whether a traditional four-legged friend, like a cat or a dog, or a more unique animal, perhaps something with feathers or scales – can

be life-changing for any aging adult.

It is no wonder, then, that pet ownership among aging adults is increasingly common in Canada. According to the University of Calgary, about 40 percent of Canadians ages 65 to 69 have a pet, while 22 percent of those 80 and older have one.

Pets offer comfort and companionship while helping to improve social skills and lowering your risk of anxiety and depression. Consider these findings from a study of pet owners ages 50 to 80 years old:

• 88% of respondents said their pets help them enjoy life more
• 86% percent said their pets make them feel loved
• 73% of those who responded said their beloved animals provide them with a sense of purpose

You will also experience more tangible, physical health benefits when becoming a pet parent. Depending on the size and type of animal you bring into your home, they are likely to keep you more active and therefore more physically fit. One study even shows that if you are a heart attack survivor who lives alone and has a dog, you will have a 33 percent lower risk of death. Meanwhile, other studies have shown that pet owners are more likely to have lower blood pressure, heart rates, and cholesterol than people without pets.Dogs and other pets can also play a dual role as a service animal, helping you with a number of medical challenges, ranging from mobility issues to vision and hearing problems. They can be trained to help make your everyday life a little bit easier or focus on specific tasks. Your pup could alert you if you are about to have a seizure or if your blood sugar is too high or low, calm you if you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other forms of anxiety, remind you to take medication, and simply improve your mood.

Challenges of Pet Ownership as We Age

Owning a pet is always a big responsibility, but there are additional challenges that come with owning a pet, especially as you age. If your pet is not trained as a service animal and you have mobility issues and other physical ailments, having an animal underfoot could be a hazard, as you might trip over them. Also, daily walks and other day -to-day care activities can be strenuous.If you are thinking about adopting or buying a pet for the first time, you might be wondering how much it costs. While it can be costly, it does not need to break your budget.Though the cost of owning a pet in Canada increased about 17% over the past three years, from 2019 to 2021, there is plenty of assistance available for pet owners on a strict budget.While veterinary care is not subsidized by the Canadian government, many veterinary clinics, and charitable organizations, such as the Farley Foundation, offer reduced rates, payment plans, and other forms of financial assistance if you cannot afford vet care for your beloved pets.Many pet stores and businesses offering pet-related services also offer senior discounts. Pet Valu stores offer a 10 percent discount on regular-priced items to seniors on the last Thursday of each month and provides other ways to help you save on your pet food and other items. Global Pet Foods stores also gives seniors 15 percent off their in-store purchases on the last Tuesday of each month. Seniors, military members, and veterans can also save 10 percent on PetSmart’s grooming services and overnight stays at the PetsHotel.

Choosing the Right Pet for your Lifestyle

If you feel that you are emotionally, mentally, and physically capable of adopting an animal, then a pet could enrich your life.First, decide which type of animal is the right one for you. Consider which will make the most sense for your day-to-day life and activities. Different pets have unique needs, so think hard about your physical capabilities before choosing your pet. Caring for a dog, who will need to be walked daily, regular grooming, and plenty of social interaction is quite different from bringing home a goldfish that will require less attention.Here are some of the top pets that make great companions for retirees:

• Dogs: We do not call dogs “man’s best friend” for nothing. Dogs are devoted, loyal and entertaining. Larger breeds and younger pups might require more physical care, though. Depending on your mobility and other physical capabilities, consider adopting an older dog or a calmer breed, like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a Pekingese, or a Basset Hound.
• Cats: If mobility is an issue, cats tend to be more independent than dogs, requiring less attentiveness and physical care while being cuddly and friendly. If you think a kitten might be too rambunctious for your home, consider adopting an older cat.
• Rabbits: While rabbits do require playtime with their owners and exercise, they typically require less attention than dogs and even cats. There is no need to worry about daily walks and most bunnies are still fuzzy and affectionate companions.
• Fish: You will need to regularly clean a fish tank and sprinkle some food for them daily, but overall, the care is easy, and you can enjoy the peace they bring to your home.
• Birds: These social creatures enjoy human interactions and make great companions. Small birds, such as a parakeet, are petite and can be more home-friendly than the others.

Pet Stores vs Animal Shelters and Rescues

Once you know the type of animal that you would like to bring home, there are a number of ways to obtain one. While in the past the first stop may have been a pet store, there is a growing trend in Canada towards adopting pets from a shelter or rescue. In 2022, approximately 1:3 pets were rescued from a pet shelter.One benefit to choosing a rescue pet is that you can find an older dog or cat who is already trained and is calmer than a puppy or kitten. But perhaps the biggest benefit of adopting a shelter pet is that it gives a loving companion another chance to find a home. Most shelter pets are surrendered through no fault of their own, only 8% of shelter pets for behavioral or personality concerns. Anecdotally, pet rescuers often say that they find adopted pets to be eternally grateful for their rescue, deepening the bond between them.If your preference is to buy a specific breed of dog or cat that you cannot find from a breed specific rescue, be sure to find pet stores that use only reputable breeders and not ‘puppy mills.’ Over-breeding is a problem that can lead to medical issues in your pet down the road, and living conditions for animals are poor. The best pet stores and breeders work to ensure sustainable and healthy processes that are better for the animal parents.

Resources for Adopting a Pet

If you are not particular about your dog or cat breed, and you prefer to rescue vs. buy, here are a few great organizations that can help connect you with your ideal animal companion:

• Humane Canada: As Canada’s federation of SPCAs and humane societies, you can use their website to connect with animal rescue organizations across the country.
• Toronto Cat Rescue: This no-kill charity works to rescue and find homes for abandoned, sick, or injured cats.
• Rabbit Rescue Inc.: This is the largest rabbit rescue in Canada, and it regularly works with SPCA and Humane Societies across the country.
• Loved at Last Dog Rescue: This Vancouver-based nonprofit focuses on finding homes for about 400 dogs in need each year.
• Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association: More than 1,200 cats and kittens are adopted through VOKRA each year. The organization helps you find your perfect feline friend through a robust matching process.

Tuktu can Help you Care for your Pets

If you are an older adult who is interested in the physical and mental health benefits of getting a pet, but you are worried you might have difficulties caring for one on your own, there is no need for concern; you can turn to Tuktu for any help you might need with pet care.

Our platform will help you find and choose responsible pet lovers around you to care for your pets when you are not around or even teaching them a trick or two. Your Tuktus are local, so they know the safest and most stimulating places nearby to walk your pooch. Any Tuktu pet companionship will bring a pet-loving neighbor to your door quickly on those days that you are just not up for a walk or are out for an appointment with a doctor or meeting your family and friends. Tuktus can also help with any other pet care services you might need – from vet visits to simple trainings. Things may have turned out differently had Alice learned about Tuktu’s services sooner. Had she realized she could have had an entire community who shared her love of animals rallying around her, helping her care for her pet, he might still be with her today. If you or a loved one could benefit from an extra hand with caring for a beloved pet, download the Tuktu app today and feel the comfort of knowing that caring and reliable help is at your fingertips.