Pets can do amazing things to improve the quality of life for a senior, not only do they provide companionship, but they also give a person a reason to get out of bed and to be active. This article is primarily for seniors who are still able to own pets, but will also offer information about the importance of involving pets with seniors, as is allowed at some nursing homes.

Advantages of Pets

• A dog can motivate a senior to get up and go for a walk.
• The act of stroking a pet is physically therapeutic, especially for those with arthritis, or joint pain, as well it is calming and enjoyable.
• A pet is a companion when a person is alone most of the time.
• A pet provides the senior with a purpose, they must feed and care for their pet.

Where to find Good Pets for Seniors

Although you can often find pets in newspapers, and on the Internet, sometimes picking a pet from an animal shelter or pet rescue group is better.  They have more selection,and better health guarantees on the animals and will try to match the pet with your needs.  The choice is really up to you, however do not pay a cent for a pet that is not vaccinated or come with health guarantees.

Concerns about Pets and Seniors

• Seniors tend to be more fragile, and have thin skin. A young puppy is not a good match, they are too active, too jumpy and need far too much exercise for a senior. A kitten is not a good choice either. While kittens are cute, they tend to use their claws far more than an adult cat, and can cut the skin of a senior quite easily.
• The senior many not be able to care for a pet for more than a few years. The lifespan of a pet for a senior must be considered. Is anyone willing to care for the pet when the senior no longer can?
• Cost is another factor that should be addressed, can the senior afford a pet, is the family able to help with paying for food and vet care?
• Is the senior truly able to care for a pet? It is a good idea if family is able to check from time to time to be sure the pet is being properly cared for – if the senior cannot drive somebody may need to take the pet to the veterinarian, or groomer, from time to time.
• The senior must be of the right mind not to overfeed their pets, which can have deadly results, as can forgetting to feed a pet for a number of days.

Older cats are great pets for older people.  Most shelters have a hard time finding homes for older pets who may have been surrendered for no fault of their own, such as if their owner passed away, or had to move.  These pets will make excellent companions for a senior.

Best Pets for Seniors

Senior Pets can be a good choice for a senior owner. These pets are slower, and do not need as much exercise. Try to select a cat, or dog, that is mature and gentle.

When we are talking about dogs, certain breeds are known to be more gentle than others, if a person wants a larger dog, an older Golden Retriever, or Labrador Retriever, would make a good choice, assuming the dog is well mannered. These dogs were bred to be gentle and patient and would work well for certain senior owners. Larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller ones, and this should be held into account when selecting a dog.

Some of the smaller dogs are even more suited to be a pet for a senior, such as the Pug, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, and Toy Poodle. Consider that small dogs can live into their later teens.

You may want to stay away from the herding dogs, terriers, and other working breeds, as they are generally most active, even in their senior years, although there are exceptions to every rule.

Read more on Best Dogs for Seniors.

For cats, some of the longer haired cats are more “mellow” such as the Persian, and Himalayan, however these cats do require proper grooming. Otherwise a DSH (domestic short hair) cat is probably the best for a senior. A cat that is over 8 years of age is generally quite calm, but it will take a few weeks for it to adjust to a new home, and owner. Remember that cats can live well into their teens when considering what age of cat to get.  One caution - some people think it is a good idea to declaw a cat before giving it to a senior, but declawed cats often become nervous biters.

Birds are another good consideration. Most birds love attention and do best in homes where somebody is usually home most of the time. A bird would be suited for the senior who cannot go for walks, but wants companionship in their home, or room.

A parrot, or larger bird, is not a good idea. These birds do tend to bite and their claws can scratch their owner's hand. Better choices would include Finches, Canaries, and even Budgies. Of these three, the Budgie is one that will interact with the senior more. Consider the lifespan of the various bird species, and be aware they do require special care and are not an overly easy pet for a person who has never had a bird before.

Fish are also good pets for seniors. A colorful male Betta in a 5 gallon tank, perhaps with a bottom feeder fish, is a good start. More elaborate tanks are better off in communal areas of nursing homes as they require more regular maintenance.

Note: Some nursing homes are now recognizing the value of pets, and some homes themselves keep pets, or allow resident seniors to keep pets. Other nursing homes have regular visits by therapy pets and this has been shown to have a very positive result on the seniors living there.

Warning:  Do not get a pet as a surprise gift for a senior, instead invite them to pick one they like, people bond best to pets they select for themselves.