Happy National Pet Day!<\/p>\n
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Enjoying a pet by your side just makes things better. Those thousands of cat memes on social media can\u2019t be wrong, after all. They provide endless entertainment and infinite love. Having a pet has also been known to help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, provide social interaction and physical activity \u2014 all good things to keeping the mind and body active and engaged as we age.<\/p>\n
Your furry friends can automatically overlay structure onto the day. A dog needs to be fed, taken on regular walks, have playtime, cuddles, and the occasional grooming. Even fish require regular maintenance in terms of feeding, tank cleaning, etc. Any type of pet means that you\u2019re not just getting up for you in the morning, you\u2019re getting up for your new BFF \u2014 Best Furry Friend.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s true. Pets offer up their own brand of adoration, whether it\u2019s curling up on your feet, coming in for playtime, or purring, they physically express what they can\u2019t say. Pets also have an uncanny knack for knowing when you\u2019re down. They\u2019ll stay close and often their whole demeanor softens as if they \u201cunderstand\u201d that you need them.<\/p>\n
The simple act of walking the dog around the block (several times a day) can have immense benefits: Improved cardiovascular health and an increase in other healthy habits, for example.<\/p>\n
Pets, especially dogs, often inherently force their owners to be more social; they talk to their pet, to other dog owners they meet on their daily walk, and even pet playdates. Having a pet also gives seniors something to dote on and therefore share about with their peers and caregivers.<\/p>\n
It becomes increasingly easy to fixate on our problems, the woes of aging, and the people we\u2019ve lost along the way as we age. A pet can refocus that attention into the present and provide an anchor to the here and now, in turn diminishing depressive thoughts and negative spirals.<\/p>\n
The key to pet companionship for seniors is finding the perfect match, just like in any relationship. Going into pet ownership fully prepared with an understanding of all factors will help determine just the right type, age, sex, and temperament of the pet. If you are giving the senior in your life a pet, some questions to ask are:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Has the senior owned a pet before?<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Does the senior have any physical or monetary limitations?<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Is the pet healthy?<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Is there a backup plan for the pet if the senior were to suddenly pass away?<\/p>\n