Odd title! What do pets have to do with senior health?
I looked into that and found that pets can have a LOT to do with improving the health and physical well-being of their “owners”. Maybe “Stewards” is a more accurate term; our Chihuahua/Schnauzer mix and Chihuahua told me so!
The National Council on Aging (in partnership with Nationwide, a pet insurance provider) explains some ways that senior health is improved by having a pet.
*Before I go further, let me tell you that the article contained a simple counting error; it actually cites five benefits instead of the four mentioned in the title. You’ll notice that they had benefits numbered 1, 2, 3, 3, 4! NCOA could use a good proofreader!
Anyway, the gist is that, as we age, we need to remain (or become) more mindful of our physical, mental, and emotional health. It may be too easy in retirement to just keep to ourselves and our homes and pay less attention to our schedule, our meals, our entertainment, our daily activities, our companions. A simple antidote is to have a pet! They can bring us joyful moments, they can comfort us when we’re blue, they can make us laugh, and they can be lovely to look at.
Let’s take a look at some benefits of having a pet as we age:
Increased Physical Activity
When we have a pet, we engage in activities that get our bodies moving. Walking a dog is an obvious way we get more activity into our day, but that’s just the beginning! We are also active when we groom our pets, feed them, play with them, and clean up after them! Some of that is pretty low key, but what would you be doing instead? Yep, more sitting, probably. There are plenty of statistics, in the article above and elsewhere, to show that people with pets are less sedentary than their petless counterparts, they get outside more (yay, fresh air!), and the activities of pet care support mobility as well as help reduce the risks of obesity, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Improved Heart Health
Having a pet, especially a dog, can lead to a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk factors. The connection between good health and pet ownership is recognized by the American Heart Association, to the point of having a whole section of their website dedicated to the ways our health is enriched by our pets. In fact, more than one study found that dog ownership is linked to a 21% decrease in the risk of death for people with heart disease monitored over 12 years. Just interacting with pets can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, two risk factors for heart disease. A different study showed that dog owners with a history of cardiac events had a 65% less chance of death compared with non-dog owners with a history of cardiac events! And cat owners have a significantly lower risk for cardiovascular death, including heart attack and stroke. Is it safe to say that having a pet can add years to your life? All the statistics about older folks and pets leads me to believe that’s true.
Stress Reduction
We know that stress puts us in that “fight or flight” mode, and chronic stress can lead to health issues like insomnia, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and headaches. Pet owners, however, can take advantage of the calming effects provided; simply petting a cat or dog releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin, while also lowering the stress hormone cortisol. An American Heart Association survey found that 95% of pet owners said they rely on their pets for stress relief. Go, Fido!
Better Balance and Mobility
Taking care of our pets helps us to stay more active frequently during the day, instead of sitting for long periods. Feeding them, playing with them, walking them all involve movement on our part, which helps improve balance, flexibility, mobility, and coordination. All of these contribute to a lower risk of falls, which is definitely a concern as we age!
A Reduction in Feeling Lonely
Pets can be great companions, give us a sense of purpose, and, of course, offer us unconditional love. It’s tough to feel lonely when we have consistent interaction, routines we can count on, and opportunities to connect with others. On our walks, our dogs act as excellent ice-breakers when we meet others on the way. If they are also pet owners, it’s an opportunity to bond over commonalities. And, in addition, if we are anxious in social settings, our pets can provide comfort, helping us to feel more comfortable and engaged with the world around us.
Has any of this caused you to decide that a pet is in your future?
Great! There are considerations, though, before you act on that decision! There are so many benefits to having (a) pet(s), but there are responsibilities, too, that figure into your choice.
Your own physical capabilities and your lifestyle, figure prominently in choosing which type of pet to get. So if your mobility is limited, a lower-maintenance pet, such as a cat, a bird, a reptile, or fish may be the answer, rather than a high-energy dog. If your heart is set on a dog, however, consider adopting an older one; they are in great need of a furever home they can count on, have lower need of strenuous exercise, are probably house-trained with a set of other good manners, and will be so loyally grateful to be HOME!
Food costs are another consideration and must be included in your decision-making. While Nebraska Humane Society can supply emergency food assistance, that is a short-term option and not a long-term solution.
We also have to consider health care. Veterinarian services don’t come cheap, but are as necessary as your own health care. An annual well-visit can add up to a few hundred dollars, and there is always the possibility of some medical emergency or another. A couple ways to handle this are to have a savings fund for vet care that you pay into each month so that the money is at the ready when the need arises; the other option to be aware of is pet insurance, which covers many services and procedures. If this option appeals to you, compare policies carefully! They will differ on premiums, covered services, the copay, the deductible, and more. So even if you have insurance providing some peace of mind, you’ll still want to maintain a vet fund for the unforeseen and uncovered issues.
I hope today’s topic has either reinforced your commitment to pet stewardship or encouraged you to acquire an appropriate pet. If it’s the latter, I hope you’ll consider adopting from a shelter; in my opinion, there’s no more loyal pet than one who has been rescued!
Last word: as Bob Barker always said, get your dog or cat neutered/spayed!
Meet Your Author
Cid Kelley, an Omaha native, is a Community Education Assistant at No More Empty Pots and a lifelong learner, too. Food Preservation is her latest learning mission; she says "nothing beats gifting and cooking with home-canned foods!" Cid's other passions include creating/providing adventures for 16 grandies, and living a life of healthful abundance with her partner, Will B, and their little dogs.
Comments? Questions? Email education@nmepomaha.org. We'd love to hear from you!
