Old Dogs, New Tricks: Senior Citizens Reap Benefits of Pet Ownership

For many soon-to-be seniors, preparing for old age is highly important -- and highly challenging. If you're under 40 and don't have a will, for example, you shouldn't delay. You'll also need to start saving for retirement, explore new healthcare plans, and try to pay your mortgage off early. Adopting a nutritious diet, embracing regular exercise, and quitting unhealthy habits will also help. Another thing you can do to make your twilight years that much better? Adopt a pet.

In the U.S., more than 10,000 people reach the retirement age of 65 each day. And while many seniors let mobility issues or chronic health conditions get them down, older people who own pets tend to retain their zest for life. In fact, the National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 88% of senior pet owners said their animals helped them get more enjoyment out of life, with 86% saying their pets made them feel loved. What's more, 79% of those seniors said their animal companions helped to reduce stress. What's more, pets can provide the internal motivation to encourage seniors to continue caring for themselves and to keep themselves in good overall health; since animals depend on their owners, this can add an extra boost for seniors to continue staying active in every way.

An emotional connection is immensely important for many seniors, particularly because loneliness and mental health issues are prominent within this demographic. But pets also promote physical benefits. Since training a new dog on walks involves 80% walking and 20% exploring, a pup can encourage seniors to stay active later in life. There's also evidence to suggest that pets can reduce heart rate and blood pressure, ease pain, and even help with symptoms associated with dementia.

While there are a few drawbacks to senior pet ownership -- such as associated expenses or feeling tied to the home -- the benefits often outweigh those concerns. And since there are numerous senior living communities that allow four-legged friends to come along for the ride, seniors may not have to give up their sweet companions even when they can't age in place. [To help give your pet relief if struggling with health issues, consider dog CBD.]

Overall, according to the poll, six out of 10 seniors noted that their pets allow them to cope with both the emotional and physical symptoms of aging. With that in mind, there seems little reason to deny yourself a canine or feline friend.