Choose the right dog for your senior years

You may have owned dogs all your life or you’re considering adopting your very first puppy now because retiring means you’ll finally have enough time to care for your new buddy.

Adopting a dog in your old age is, in fact, an excellent choice, and it’s been proven by science many times before.

Studies show that having a dog has several health benefits for seniors, such as lowering stress, anxiety, and blood pressure.

 

Having a dog provides health benefits

It has even been observed that dogs help deal with depression related to old age. None of this is surprising, since having to care for a dog means regular walks and exercise for the owner, too.

There are several excellent dog breed choices that are considered ideal specifically for seniors. Among the best dog breeds for seniors: Labrador retrievers, beagles, basset hounds and poodles.

When planning to adopt a dog in your older age, remember to consider caring for it for the next 10-15 years for small dogs and 8-12 years for large breeds.

When dogs grow old, it can take a toll on both of you with their recurrent health issues, and being prepared is essential.

Apart from general dog care and walking, consider their grooming and feeding. This is especially important for retirees that have a lower fixed income, and need to ensure that a dog won’t put a significant dent in their budget.

With so many dog breeds with different personalities and needs out there, there’s a lot of think about before adopting a puppy: both your and the dog’s age, your lifestyle, your energy levels, the costs of ownership and more.

Use this infographic from TopDogTips to see which breeds are considered most “adoptable” and which dogs owners most often choose as their buddies for life.