Seniors & Pets

Are you taking care of your pet or is your pet taking care of you? The answer is "both" and there is solid research to back that up. Most senior-aged pet owners don't even realize the medical benefits they are receiving from owning, walking, feeding and loving their pet. Studies show that pets not only foster feelings of love and security but can also help lower a person's blood pressure, heart rate and stress level. Cat owners enjoy the same benefits as dog owners proving that pets can improve your health even if they are of the finicky persuasion.

Dr. Laura Ivan, D.V.M, with Imperial Animal Hospital in Imperial, Missouri, strongly believes pets can have a positive effect on the lives of seniors.

"Dogs and all pets can be an incredible benefit to geriatric patients and people," Dr. Ivan said.

"We know that they can lower people's blood pressure."

On the Web site, www.preciouspets.org, an article written on the health benefits of pets by Ursula Cunningham quotes a study done in 2002 by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The study revealed the heart rates and blood pressure of pet owners increased less if their animals were with them when they were presented with math problems to solve.

Another study, cited by Cunningham, was conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 2001, and found that people who own pets "make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious conditions," and are more likely to still be living one year after being treated for a coronary condition.

Some older people may lack their own social circles and therefore have fewer opportunities for recreation and activity. A warm cat on their lap or a dog that is filled with joy upon their owner's return home can be therapeutic to the soul.

Of course, the word "pets" is not limited to dogs and cats. Birds, fish, snakes and hamsters all have their admirers too. There are fulfilling responsibilities that come with owning these types of pets also. There is evidence that fish rate high as therapeutic pets as well.

Choosing the right pet takes some research but seniors who make an informed decision may find that they have never been happier or healthier. Ok, let's say the senior has always been a dog lover so the answer of what type of pet is easy. The hard part is which breed or breed mix would suit the lifestyle of the senior. Dr. Ivan suggests one breed of dog that may fit many seniors is the Chihuahua. Dr. Ivan is the official veterinarian for the River City Chihuahua Rescue group out of the St. Louis area. Kim Cronin, the group's president, said Chihuahuas are usually under 10 pounds, make the perfect lap dog, eat a small amount of dog food per day and their tiny legs don't require much exercise.

"They don't even really have to go outside. They can live in a small apartment and use what we call piddle pads to potty on," Cronin said.

Cronin reminds all potential dog owners to find out what the breed was bred for originally because all breeds have instincts that will come out. She said all toy dogs were bred to be companion dogs so that is what they are good at.

"(Chihuahuas) can make you feel very loved," she said.

This breed does have a long life span of 12 to 16 years. Dr. Ivan said that seniors could volunteer with this or any rescue group's fostering program where the dog is placed temporarily in their home to acquaint the dog with owner/pet living.

"This opportunity is great for someone who does not want the pressure of outliving their dog, because the rescue takes it back," Dr. Ivan said.

"Seniors need a companion and sometimes it is best if it's a smaller lap dog."

To contact Cronin about the fostering program or adoption, email her at rivercityrescue@gmail.com.

Jim Wilcox with the Jefferson County (Missouri) Division of Animal Control agrees that an "adult lap dog" would make the ideal type of dog for an older owner. He said at the animal shelter they admit so many adult dogs that do not get adopted because everyone wants a puppy. He cautions that just because a dog is small does not mean it is a subdued lap dog.

"Seniors wouldn't want a young lab mix because then they would have to put up with all the misbehaving of a puppy but a smaller dog like a Jack Russell terrier would also not be good because they have a lot of energy," Wilcox said.

Wilcox said that the staff at the shelter can help someone choose the right temperament in a dog or cat. He stressed that the pet must fit into the owner's lifestyle.

So remember that owning a pet is a big responsibility but choosing the right pet is key. We carefully select our human friends so why shouldn't we carefully select our pet friends.

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These health benefit facts of pet ownership are from www.preciouspets.org. This is further proof that while we are taking care of our pets, they are taking care of us.

• Pets help to lower blood pressure. A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations that those who did not own a pet.

• Pets help to reduce stress. Studies conducted worldwide but specifically by Josephine Wills of the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in the United Kingdom show that the impact of a stressful situation is less on pet owners, especially males, than those who do not own a pet.

• Pets help to prevent heart disease. Research presented at the National Institute of Health's (NIH) Technology Assessment Workshop states that pets may provide their owners with greater psychological stability, plus a measure of protection from heat disease.

• Pets help lower health care costs. Also presented at the NIH Technology Assessment Workshop on Health Benefits of Pets was the fact that people with pets actually make fewer doctor visits especially for non-serious medical conditions.

• Pets help to fight depression. An article entitled "Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship" states that pets help fight loneliness therefore promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, a pet's affection takes on a greater meaning. Bonding behaviors from a pet can foster a sense of security.