The Power of Pets

Hanging out with a furry friend can do wonders for your wellbeing. You’ll be happier, exercise more and make more friends. They improve our heart health and social life, and are an instant mood booster – nothing beats coming home to a happy waggin’ tail.

Pets are a wonderful part of our lives and worth celebrating! April brings with it National Pet Day (April 11), the perfect time to praise the perks of pet ownership, whether furry, scaly or feathered, and their long-lasting paws-itive effects on our lives and longevity.

They really are a senior’s best friend: According to a study, dog owners in particular have been found to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, fewer heart attacks – just fewer medical problems in general – all a boon to healthy aging.

Pets are the hearts and souls of our lives. “Pets bring people so much joy, they help to connect people and provide both physical and mental health benefits to their humans. I have so many senior clients who have mentioned to me that their dogs keep them fit as they need to be walked and played with,” says Dr. Sharon Quinn, cofounder and CEO of Vetwell Rockcliffe Animal Hospital in Waterdown, ON and Nelson Animal Hospital in Burlington.

Pets Make us Laugh

They not only get us out and about and connecting to others, these family members make a house a home. “Pets make us laugh with their silly antics, bringing us out of our often overstimulated minds and allowing us to enjoy the present moment,” says Dr. Quinn.

Their calming presence is something we could all benefit coming home to, especially in these stressful times, and lots of us do just that. Almost 80% of Canadian households have welcomed at least one pet into their fold, with just over 28 million pets living in our homes. Cats rule but dogs are a close second.

Actually, Benny rules in Eleanor Williams’ life. “My Benny is my everything! He is my fur child and I talk to him and he listens – and never barks back ,” laughs Williams, a 77-year-old senior living in Hamilton.

“We have such a deep bond and he’s taught me the best lessons in life – unconditional love, no judgments, no grudges, loyalty, being happy about the smallest things in life and being up for anything that might come your way,” she says.

Williams walks her spunky mini poodle about 5 km every day, rain or shine, and attributes dog ownership to keeping her heart healthy and connected to her community. “I’ve met the nicest people through my dog.”

Fur Friends Reduce Stress

Social bonds are essential to our health and yet as we get older, our social networks get smaller and isolation and loneliness can creep in, posing serious health risks. Animal friends can fill that void with caring companionship and loving physical contact – even just 10 minutes of petting your dog or cat releases an abundance of happy hormones, reducing stress, anxiety and even depression in seniors.

And they provide regular opportunities for socialization. Having a dog makes you seem more social, approachable and friendly. Who doesn’t want to exchange funny fur stories or get your pup some extra pats and love?

There’s just so much to bark about: Their needs, care and the daily structure can fill us with purpose; daily responsibilities refocus energies and remind us of our capabilities, value and worth – all positives for aging in a healthy way.

For many of us, growing older is better with a pet. But if pet ownership isn’t an option, you can always volunteer at an animal shelter, arrange pet therapy visits or even do some pet-sitting.

Should You Get a Pet?

Adopting a dog is a decision not to be taken lightly.

“Small dogs and cats are both great pets for seniors but the pros and cons would need to be considered given the individual’s circumstances,” says Dr. Quinn, who also co-founded Smart.Vet, a 24/7 virtual care service that supports vets and provides pet owners with telehealth via video, phone or message from the comfort of their own homes.

“Ideally there would be a family member or friend available to assist with care when the owner is unavailable or away, so that the pet does not limit the person’s independence, ability to travel, etc.” says Dr. Quinn. Alternatively there are an increasing number of individuals and small businesses offering dog-walking and pet-sitting services.

Adopting a dog can be rewarding but there are also challenges, especially for older adults who may have health or mobility issues, according to McMaster’s Optimal Aging Portal. They recommend:

• Be realistic about your responsibilities: Can you take care of the dog, feed it, and take him to the vet? Can you take it out for a walk, summer or winter?
• Be realistic about your health status: Do you have any allergies? Could a dog increase your risk for falls?
• Think about your living environment: Are dogs allowed in your apartment or residence?
• Plan for the future: Who will take care of your dog if you need to be hospitalized or cannot take care of it?
• Explore the dog breed that might be right for you: What is the best dog breed for you, for your personal circumstances?
• Examine the dog’s temperament: Dogs, like humans, have temperaments (calm or energetic, docile or dominant, etc.). Is your temperament (or your lifestyle) suitable for a specific dog?