Animals make great companions for senior citizens. Studies show having a pet provides many health benefits including alleviating loneliness, lowering blood pressure and increasing physical activity. It is important to find the right match between pet and owner. Several factors play into determining what is “right” for your senior loved one.
Narrow Down the Type of Pet First
Look into whether your senior would be benefit most from dog, cat, bird or hamster type of pet. Some may simply benefit from an aquarium or goldfish bowl. Cats are more independent and are generally cheaper and less demanding pets. Dogs are loyal and obedient but require more attention and exercise, including regular walks.
On top of being small and fairly low-maintenance, parakeets can be very affectionate and fun when properly trained. Cockatiels and cockatoos are also popular bird pets for seniors. Guinea pigs are bigger and heavier than hamsters, roughly 2-4 times bigger and can weigh around 1.5 to 2.6 pounds whereas hamsters only weigh around 1 to 10 ounces. This means guinea pigs will require a much bigger habitat with more room to play, and more food than hamsters (which leads to more cleaning up to do). One major difference between hamsters and guinea pigs is how social they can be. Hamsters do better on their own, while guinea pigs are friendly and thrive when there are two or more. Something else to consider is that guinea pigs keep the same hours as most humans. In other words, they are awake during the day and sleep at night. But hamsters are nocturnal, spending their days asleep while being super busy at night.
Narrow Down the Breed
In each category, especially dogs, the breed can make a huge difference in predicting the personality, size, longevity, maintenance levels and energy levels. These should match up with those of the potential owner. Personality of a particular animal is very important, and may be difficult to determine in the early life stages. Consider the senior’s daily routine and map out how the pet will ideally fit into this schedule. Does the senior need a companion to accompany him or her on daily walks? Would the senior be better suited with a cuddly animal to curl up with on the couch with a book?
It may be that an older animal could be adopted to avoid the young puppy/kitten stage. Those stages tend to require a lot more energy and time from the owner. Dogs in the age range of 3-5 years are typically trained and settled, their personality is established and they can easily be adopted.
Financial Considerations
As with most decisions in life, the decision may also be impacted by budget. Pets are a serious investment, not just the initial purchase price or adoption fee, but on-going expenses for food, grooming, vet bills and preventative treatments.
At Stouffer Legal, we like to see seniors thrive. Pet ownership can be a way to do that. For more information on the elder law services we provide, contact our office for a consultation. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
