• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Dogs improve the quality of life for seniors

Posted December 27, 2018

dogs help senior citizens: woman cuddles with labrador retriever
Dogs help senior citizens: Boost exercise, reduce stress. Their companionship helps us handle emotional turbulence, and their care can relieve anxiety.

Americans love dogs. They’re a huge part of our family lives, of pop culture, and they even provide health care benefits for people with disabilities and senior citizens.

We love dogs because they’re friendly, loyal, they assist us emotionally and physically, and because they’re just so darn cute! Many of us add dogs to our families for their various benefits — for emotional companionship, physical health, stress relief, to teach our children about responsibility and caring.

All of these characteristics of our favorite domestic animals make them especially excellent companions for elderly family members. Whether they’re aging at home, in a facility, or living with loved ones, the right dog has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of seniors. It does, however, have to be the right dog. Not all breeds and personalities will be right for this!

Dogs help senior citizens: Boost physical activity

Whether a dog is right for an elderly family member may depend on their level of physical activity. For some seniors, walking every day is part of the routine that keeps their physical health up. Not all seniors can do this every day, however, and everyone has different abilities when it comes to the distance and speed of walks.

If walking presents a significant challenge, then a dog might not be the best idea. If it’s part of a physical therapy or exercise routine to take regular walks, however, a dog might be a fantastic companion! Different breeds have different needs, as well as require different amounts of exercise and physical care. In general, larger dogs may be more difficult to handle — even the friendliest and gentlest large dogs can be potentially problematic only because they weigh more, and need more exercise.

Smaller dog breeds like Spaniels and French Bulldogs are often better for seniors, however not all larger breeds are high energy, and vice versa. Greyhounds, for example, make for great companions — and they love to be lazy! It all depends on the situation and the needs of the person. Generally, you want to look for a dog that is relaxed and socialized. Breed doesn’t fully define personality, so keep an open mind! Some small dogs are a handful, and some big dogs are gentle giants.

Dogs help senior citizens: Reduce stress

Dogs are great for stress. Their companionship helps us handle emotional turbulence, and their care can relieve anxiety. Aging has a lot of stress involved with it, and stress can be harmful in large or constant amounts. When people age, things in their life start changing rather permanently. This includes losing physical faculties, memory, or sometimes losing one’s home and often friends and family due to the natural course of life, and it can all take a toll.

Dogs have a lot to offer in the relief of stress, and companionship and love. Caring for them in itself can be a stress relieving act; the routine of walking them, the satisfaction of providing them with a good and loving home.

Dogs can ease the emotional strain of aging and can be a source of constant connection in a rapidly changing life. Especially if an elderly family member is moving for care reasons, having a canine companion can make those transitions easier.

The waning years of life, just like all the others, should be filled with as much love and joy as possible. Dogs can help facilitate that.

Dogs help senior citizens: Choose the right environment

Dogs, just like elderly family members, have specific physical requirements in a living space. Not every area is right for a dog. Unfortunately, many assisted living communities to have restrictive pet policies, and don’t allow dogs despite their various advantages. This is a significant considering if you’re looking into assisted living, as having to part with a beloved pet would be an added cruelty to an already stressful situation.

Finding somewhere with parks and trails close by for short walks that aren’t too taxing is another aspect of location that’s important. It should be as easy as possible to care for the dog. Safe open spaces should be within walking, not driving distance. A yard or other private, enclosed area is also ideal so that the dog can run and play without having to be continuously kept up with.

In the end, a dog can provide a senior with many necessary elements of a full and happy life. Taking extra care to make sure that the dog is appropriate for them, and space is suitable for the dog, helps their companionship grow quickly and smoothly.

Related Posts

  • Senior woman holds poodle. Seniors benefit from caring for pets.
    Another heartbeat in the house: Seniors benefit from caring for pets

    Seniors benefit from caring for pets because they provide companionship,…

  • Best dog breeds for seniors include labradors who are loyal and loving.
    Choose the right dog for your senior years

    Adopting a dog in your old age is an excellent…

  • Dog ownership provides health benefits for senior citizens

    Dogs and senior citizens: Besides companionship, dogs provide senior citizens…

  • To manage arthritis in dogs, veterinarians recommend controlling the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis with medication. This should also be accompanied by a suitable diet and exercise and supplements.
    Keep your senior dog active

    Create an exercise program that will keep your senior dog…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: Dog health benefits

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

PandemicService dogsSmall dogsWaterRottweilerPotty trainingValentine's DayTwo dogsPomeranianThanksgivingSocializationPuppy-proofOld dogsVeterinarianPoodlePet sitterYorkshire terrierPawVacation dog caretraining tipsSheddingWorking dogsPit bullOutdoor activitiesRescue dogPetfinder.comPet parentsTicksPuppy kindergartenSeparation anxiety

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort: The ultimate guide for dog owners
    Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort is crucial for the well-being of your pet. This guide is for you if you want to achieve this balance. […]
  • The importance of a balanced diet for dogs: Why and how you should care
    Feed your dog a balanced diet with the right mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Ensure they get the right amounts to stay healthy. […]
  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.