The research doesn’t lie.
People who continuously own a pet are the healthiest group among those studied by researchers, reports a long-term study of pet parents in Germany and Australia.
Pet parenthood isn’t just the joy of belly rubs, constant cuddles, and unconditional love and loyalty, it’s actually scientifically proven to be good for your mental and physical health.
Having a pet in your home can lead to higher levels of physical activity, lower levels of stress, and an increased sense of purpose — which are beneficial at any age, but can be extra important for older pet parents.
Here’s how having a pet can help to improve your physical and mental wellness:
It’s a proven fact: dog parents get more physical exercise than people who don’t have a dog. On average, they walk 22 more minutes each day — and at a quick pace which increases heart rate in a beneficial way.
Walking at a moderate speed has a number of benefits: it can lower the risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. And because dog parents walk more often, they receive more of these physical health benefits.
In terms of cardiovascular health, both dog and cat parents are ahead of the game. An analysis in the Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine found that people with dogs have significantly lower heart rates and people with cats have a reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
When we talk about our hearts, we’re often connecting that to how well we feel on an emotional level, too.
A national poll conducted by the University of Michigan found that having a pet creates a routine and provides us humans with a sense of purpose — which can be a beneficial mental and emotional wellness priority for retired pet parents or for seniors who live alone.
Most pet parents know that socialization is an important step in their pet’s development — for dogs, especially. That’s why we let them meet and greet other pets when we’re out on walks, stopping for a good long sniff or short play session.
Our pets, however, are social mediums who provide us with the opportunity to interact with other humans — even if it’s just a chat about which brand of poop bags are the most reliable.
When we’re out with our pets, they often act as a conversation starter, allowing us to engage in friendly, casual chats with people in the park or on the street who we might otherwise simply walk past. Pets socialize us, too, and can help to combat loneliness thanks to their presence in our lives and the opportunities they give us to connect with other people.
Anyone who’s cuddled with a cat or scratched a dog behind the ears knows intuitively how calming and stress-relieving it can be to spend time with animals. And scientists agree.
In a study on the subject of physiological calming in the presence of dogs published in the journal of Society and Animals, researchers investigated the “pet effect” and found that “interaction with a companion dog reduced stress for all participants, with the effect being more pronounced for those high in trait anxiety.”
On good days and bad, pets are there for us to talk to (though they may not answer in the same language), care for, cuddle, and give as well as receive unconditional love from. So while pet parents put a lot of effort into caring for pets, pets take good care of us as well.
Navigating pet parenthood in your 50’s and beyond
From the health and wellness benefits to older people of having a pet to navigating animal care in emergency or decreased mobility scenarios, this is a fulsome guide to senior pet parenthood.
What to ask if you’re over the age of 50 and getting a pet
As people get older, sometimes the type of pet that’s right for them evolves. From different dog breeds, to cats and other small animals, consider these options as an older pet parent.
How to support parents as they age with pets
Pets can enrich your parents lives as they get older, but they may also require extra help from you to care for the animal now and in the future
