While we all can enjoy the unconditional love a companion pet offers, cats can make ideal companions for senior citizens. Pets can offer loyalty, provide joy, and give unconditional love. They can also make excellent nap buddies and lap warmers! Retired senior folks often have more time to spend on caring and loving for their pets than working households. Pets don’t judge people based on how old they look or physical limitations. Instead, they only know they have someone to love and who loves them back. A pet’s devoted and affectionate nature can make a senior owner happier and even healthier. Medical professionals who work with seniors have long noted the benefits a pet can make in the life of an elderly person! Here are some of the amazing benefits a pet can bring to a senior person or household:
- A pet offers a sense of well being and independence, helping to prevent stress, depression and loneliness.
- Being responsible for another living creature can add new meaning and purpose to a senior’s life.
- Caring for a pet with activities such as feeding, grooming and walking helps people stay active, both mentally and physically, and thus enhances and increases the quality and quantity of her life.
- Numerous clinical studies verify that owning a pet can benefit a human’s physical health. For senior people that results in lower blood pressure, decreased stress, reduction in bone loss, lower cholesterol levels, and improved blood circulation.
- Adopting a cat from a rescue where the pet has been in a foster home is one excellent way for seniors to get a cat who’s energy needs are more known, and what they can handle.
- Another way is to work with a cat behaviorists or rescue volunteer experienced with assessing cats in a shelter, to use their knowledge in selecting a pet that is more likely to be a good match.
- Adopt an adult or senior cat. You can then see the cat’s actual temperament and energy level, and bonus is you may adopt an already trained more mellow cat!
- Avoid kittens with their razor sharp teeth and teething stage.
- Owning a cat includes a humane responsibility to that pet for their entire life. Cats can easily live 15 years or longer, and even healthy cats need regular veterinary care. Plus, accidents happen. Before acquiring a new cat, have a financial plan in place that will assure the care of your dog if you are temporarily or permanently unable to provide full or partial care of your pet.