The adage that a dog is a man’s best friend is true in so many ways. There are days in your life when you walk into your home and your dog or cat may be the happiest family member you greet. There is something about their unconditional love and adoration that is just good for your heart and soul. In fact, many studies have been dedicated to the health benefits associated with pet ownership, especially in aging populations.
After retirement, your day to day routines tend to look a whole lot different than they once did. You may celebrate the fact that your dress clothes must only be dusted off for church and weddings, but the change in routine can also be difficult for many. However, when you have a pet in your life, there are many routines that remain unchanged. If you own a dog, you find that you still need to walk the dog several times a day.
For our cat people, that hour before bed watching TV with your cat beside you may be the most relaxing moments of your day. We also know that there is no sleeping in with a cat. For an animal that seems to sleep most of the day, a cat seems incredibly concerned if its person sleeps any length of time longer than usual.
The act of caring for animals (walking dogs, feeding horses, etc.) actually improves one’s physical fitness. Taking walks, lifting and carry supplies, or even cleaning up after your animal requires muscle strength and dexterity. The act of doing this on a daily basis can improve bone and joint health as well!
The activity levels associated with pet ownership also have a positive impact on a person’s blood pressure and cholesterol (triglyceride) levels. Just think, the next time your dog sits by the door for a walk he isn’t the only one benefiting from this act.
The Pets for the Elderly Foundation provides further statistics on its website about the health benefits of pet ownership. When compared to those without pets, pet owners had 21 percent fewer visits to the doctor, were less likely to die from heart attacks, and even suffer fewer headaches. Pet owners who underwent surgery also had significantly shorter recovery times.
There is also a social aspect in which pet ownership is extremely beneficial. Loneliness is one of the most difficult conditions older populations face and this seems to be drastically reduced by having a companion pet. The comfort, affection, and sense of security associated with pets allows us to cope more effectively through the loss of loved ones. Not only do pet owners have increased feelings of personal security and purpose, they are also less likely to experience depression.
Pets can be an integral part of a person’s social network. Most pet owners will admit that they often talk to their furry friends, and that petting their animals remarkably improves the owners’ moods. Pet owners also expressed that they had reduced feelings of isolation. Talk therapy is a useful tool for many mood disorders. Imagine how often pet owners have the opportunity to participate in this type of therapy with their non-judgmental, accepting fluffy companion.
The discourse between owner and pet is not the only way in which pets help their owners socially. Dog owners may, at the urging of their pet, take more walks around their neighborhoods than they would otherwise. On these walks, they may interact with other dog walkers, building casual, yet consistent relationships. They may also find that they stop and talk to neighbors in their yards that they may not otherwise talk to. A friendly dog tends to provide the easiest of introductions. How many Hollywood movies start with a guy’s dog running up to his future wife?
Horse owners often flock together to provide safety and companionship for trail rides. There are even online communities where horse enthusiasts build friendships through the sharing of tips and tricks in caring for their trusty steeds, learning about illnesses, or even purchasing new equipment. For horse people looking for face to face contact, there are even local senior riding groups with monthly meetings.
While animals such as cats may not provide the physical fitness advantages that are common in dog and horse owners, their owners also benefit from living in their midst with reduced anxiety and stabilized hormone levels. Think of how high oxytocin levels rise when watching YouTube videos of “cats and cucumbers” and imagine the joy of living with that day to day. (If you haven’t had a chance, please take the time to search cats and cucumber videos.)
Unfortunately, as we age, so do our animals. You may come to the point that when your animals pass, you see the opportunity to break free of the constraints, rid yourself of the pet hair, or have concerns about your ability to care for a new, younger animal. It’s pretty clear that while living animal-free at an advanced age may be tempting, the health benefits provided by animals are most significant to us as we age.
Adopting a new animal can be challenging at any age, but especially for the elderly. In several cities throughout the United States, animal shelters have started programs pairing shelter animals with seniors who may have given up on the thought of having pets after their aged companion passes away. In a lot of cases, pairing older pets with seniors has proved to be beneficial. These older pets tend to be calmer than their younger counterparts and the costs associated with initial vaccinations and neutering are no longer a concern. These adoptions can be life saving for both the pet and the owner.
Aside from the health benefits, one of the greatest gifts a pet gives its owner is joy. When a pet owner shares experiences with a beloved animal, the joy they receive from their pet on a daily basis radiates from them. The joy could come from comical personalities and behaviors, affectionate mannerisms, or even just the knowledge that it is nice to be needed.
Finding joy is one of our major quests in life. As humans, much of our joy is found in, among other things, companionship, health, and security. Our furry and feathered loved ones definitely do their part to help provide us with this joy and the research definitively shows that our pets are good for our hearts in more ways than one.
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