The Benefits of Pet Companionship for Senior Wellbeing

08/20/2024

As people age, their need for companionship and emotional support grows. At the same time, their time with other people slowly decreases as their children and loved ones are so busy with the chaos of day-to-day work and responsibilities. While family members and friends are an essential source of love and care, they’re not the only option. Having a pet to love and care for is another great option for seniors. The relationship between people and their pets can significantly impact many facets of life, improving older people’s emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. In the rest of this article, we’ll dive into all the benefits of pet companionship for senior wellbeing and mental health.

Emotional Benefits of Pet Companionship

One of the most significant benefits of pet companionship for senior wellbeing is the emotional support that pets provide. As they get older, people tend to feel more isolated and alone, particularly if they live alone after their spouse has passed or don't engage in many social activities. Pets provide unconditional love and constant companionship, whether dogs, cats, or other animals. Having a pet by your side can help reduce loneliness and provide you with a feeling of accountability and purpose.

Furthermore, pets are known for their ability to provide consolation in trying circumstances. Having a devoted pet can be a great source of comfort for seniors going through health issues, grief, or other life changes. The loving character of cats and dogs, their perceptiveness of their owners' feelings, and their readiness to provide solace can have a positive impact an elderly person's emotional health.

Physical Benefits of Owning Pets

It’s a proven fact that pets can help seniors live longer, more active lives.

For starters, increased physical activity is one of the biggest benefits of owning a pet. An energetic dog gives you a reason to leave the house for frequent walks. Even if it’s just a quick walk a few times a day, all that activity still means a lot more than sitting on a couch. A recent study showed that people who own dogs walk for an average of 200 extra minutes each week than people who don't. On the other hand, a cat loves to play, which can be a strong motivation to move more during the day. This simple routine can help seniors keep fit and live longer.

Furthermore, owning a pet can also positively affect seniors’ cardiovascular health. It might sound silly, but playing, petting, and interacting with a cat or dog can help reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. Because of that, people who own pets are less likely to suffer from hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. Having a pet can also lessen the risk of major cardiac events, including strokes and heart attacks.

Finally, pet owners tend to heal from diseases and injuries more quickly. Feel-good endorphins like oxytocin and dopamine are released by the human brain when a person comes into physical contact with their pet. These substances lower tension and raise the pain threshold, hastening the healing process.

Mental Health Benefits

As we said, having pets has been shown to improve your mood and help you through tough times. However, that’s not only the case for regular day-to-day emotions but for more serious mental health issues, too. Pets can play a vital role in addressing mental health challenges such as depression in the elderly. The companionship and unconditional love pets provide can significantly alleviate feelings of sadness and despair, offering a comforting presence that promotes positive mental health.

ESAs, or emotional support animals, are especially helpful for elderly people who suffer from mental illnesses. ESAs don’t just have to be dogs and cats. They can also be birds, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles, and even miniature horses. Animals like these offer steady company, which lessens feelings of loneliness and isolation. The relationship developed with an ESA can be quite consoling and reassuring. Petting or snuggling with an ESA has a relaxing impact that can aid in stress management and lessen anxiety symptoms, offering a healthy and efficient means of enhancing mental health.

Mental Stimulation and Cognitive Health

Did you know interacting with pets promotes mental stimulation, which is good for cognitive wellness? Activities like training a dog, teaching them tricks, and playing interactive games with a cat can all help to keep the brain alert. These mental activities are especially useful for seniors to take part in daily because they assist in maintaining cognitive function while delaying the onset of cognitive decline and dementia.

Pets also encourage routine, which might be useful for elders with memory problems. Feeding, grooming, and caring for a pet requires a daily regimen, which can enhance time management and organizational abilities. This habit improves cognitive health and promotes stability and normalcy in daily life.

Potential Downsides

While there are plenty of benefits of pet companionship for senior wellbeing, it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t also mention some of the downsides. For starters, caring for pets can be difficult for seniors who have mobility, transportation, or financial limitations, particularly if they live alone. However, the good news is that there are many resources available to help with funding for pet supplies and access to veterinary services. Furthermore, specialized pet walkers and pet care services can help with these daily tasks.

Aside from the toll of taking care of a pet, another potential downside can be allergies. Finally, the emotional toll of losing a pet can be significant, leading to feelings of grief and sadness that can be extremely difficult to deal with, especially when you’re already in a vulnerable state.

Final Thoughts

Pets are one of the great thesaurus in life. They can offer companionship, emotional support, and even mental and cognitive exercise. It’s no secret that pet companionship has plenty of benefits for senior wellbeing. However, pet ownership is not something that should be taken too lightly. Before getting a cat, dog, or any other pet for a senior, you have to make sure to do your research. Consider all the potential challenges pet ownership can bring and compare it to the numerous benefits to figure out if it’s the right fit for your loved one.

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Thank You to Our Guest Blog Writer:

Lauren Barry

Bio:
Lauren Barry is a licensed marriage and family therapist, passionate about helping people struggling
with mental health issues. When she’s not working with patients, she’s sharing valuable online sources
to promote the causes she cares about.

Photo Credit:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-walking-with-his-pet-dog-13365562/

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Resources:

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets

https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/upload/comment-4704-attachment_.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8062698/