Which is the best pet for senior woman or an elderly man? According to studies, petting and hugging animals for 15 minutes a day reduces the stress hormone cortisol in people and increases the release of the happy hormone serotonin. These hormones will have a positive effect in preventing cardiovascular diseases and strokes.In your opinion, can a bedridden person be left alone?
Staying at home and depression is one of the common problems among the elderly, which can cripple them faster than the due time. One of the methods that has been studied to improve the mood of the elderly is pet therapy, which has had positive results. In addition to increasing physical activity and improving mood in the elderly, this method increases their life expectancy.
Well, we are living in a time when children may not be able to visit their parents because of their busy schedule! Therefore, many people recommend keeping a pet so that the parents don’t feel lonely and suffer from diseases like depression later, but in the meantime, a question arises, which is the best pet for senior woman or an elderly man?
Many things should be considered in answering this question. Among them, the spirits of the elderly and their physical conditions, as well as the spirits and physical conditions of the animal in question, are very important. Because these two are supposed to live together and if they are not in harmony with each other, the situation will definitely be difficult for both of them, which no one wants this. Now let’s go to examine the question: what is the best pet for an elderly woman?
Health Benefits of Having Pets for the Elderly
Before dealing with the issue of best pet for senior woman, it is better to ask why do the elderly need to keep a pet? Due to their physical health, economic and work activities, young and middle-aged have wider social relations and are invited to many parties and spend more time with their friends.
But with increasing age, social activities and family and friendly visits decrease and the elderly person loses most of his/her relationships. This makes him/her spend a lot of time alone, which is certainly unpleasant for everyone. Loneliness makes the elderly become listless, withdrawn and aggressive and even lose the desire to eat.
But the presence of pets can have a very positive effect on the spirit of the elderly. The existence of small birds that lay eggs and their chicks are born from time to time can awaken the zest for life in the elderly. Keeping pets makes the elderly more active. Taking care of animals or taking them to the bathroom and cleaning their living environment can make the elderly feel useful and alive.
Some pets need daily walks. For example, to take care of a dog, you must take him for a walk every day and play with him. Cats are lively animals and they are willing to play with you for hours. These activities increase physical activity and improve heart and physical health of the elderly. On the other hand, trained dogs have the ability to provide some assistance to the elderly. They can be a very useful helping hand for a person and greatly reduce his/her feeling of loneliness or helplessness.
Going out of the house under the pretext of walking the animals makes the elderly person meet more people. The expansion of social relations would improve the morale of the elderly.
How to Choose Best Pet for Senior Woman?
Some people get in trouble when choosing the right type of pet for elderly ladies. Some factors to consider when choosing a pet for senior woman include:
Elderly Mobility
One of the first things to consider when choosing a suitable companion for an elderly female friend or relative is the mobility of the person in question. For elderly people who do not have physical limitations, it is better to give them an active animal such as a dog, horse or bird. On the other hand, for elderly people who are physically challenged, cats are more suitable options as they require less care and is more prone to lounging on the sofa.
If your elderly person is able to move and play, you can choose a dog for her, but it is better to choose a breed that is gentle, kind and intelligent, makes less noise, has less hair loss, and does not have a large size. Trained dogs are also ideal because they are easy to care for.
Age of the Animal
The age of the animal is another important factor to consider when choosing the best pet for senior woman. For adults and seniors, choosing an adult dog or cat is the best option. Puppies and kittens, although ideal for young children, may not be suitable for the elderly due to the amount of sensitive care they require. Taking care of a puppy or a kitten requires a lot of attention and effort, which most elderly people cannot handle. However, the animals chosen should not be too old because they may show physical limitations and disease.
The Health of the Animal
It is very important to consider the pet’s health status in choosing the best pet for senior woman. Some pets carry diseases, and a sick pet can increase the risk of asthma, allergies, and other health complications in the elderly. It is recommended that pets be examined by a veterinarian before introducing them into the home.
The pet you buy for the elderly must have a health certificate from a veterinarian. If necessary, inject the necessary vaccines and parasites needed by the animal on time so that common diseases between animals and humans or possible parasites in animal feces do not become a problem for you.
Allergy Considerations
Allergy sufferers should be especially careful when choosing to adopt a pet. Allergies to pets can cause many side effects. If your elderly person has a weak immune system, do not use animals that carry allergenic diseases, respiratory and skin allergies under any circumstances.
- sneeze
- cough
- runny nose
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- Waking up frequently
- Facial pressure and pain
- Itchy nose, roof of the mouth or throat
- Swollen skin and changes in the skin under the eyes
- Itchy, red, or runny eyes
Cost
The cost is also very important and worthy of consideration in choosing the best pet for elderly women. You bring the pet to spend a good time with it, not to put yourself in financial pressure, which will eventually harm the animal and you will be responsible for it. Therefore, if the elderly have a fixed income, they should take care of the pet by knowing and planning for the expenses related to taking care of the pet.
Seniors living on a fixed income should be extra careful about planning for additional costs associated with pet care — including food, litter (for cats), vet bills and medications.
Potential care
Choose a pet that is suitable for both the current situation and the foreseeable future. Before buying a pet for the elderly, you should determine whether you want to keep it forever or temporarily? If the senior is no longer able to properly care for the animal, you must plan for the pet’s future and make sure you are prepared for the possible loss. For many who have grown attached to their pets for companionship, separation from an animal can be devastating.
Best Pet for Senior Woman: Which Dog Breed Should We Choose for the Elderly Ladies?
There are different breeds of dogs, and in order to be able to choose the best one to accompany the elderly, it is better to check the different breeds that are suitable for your elderly before making a final decision.
- Shih Tzu: Shih Tzu is a gentle and kind dog that grows with love. It is stronger and more resistant than it seems. It requires walking during the day. This group of dogs has less hair loss. They are often quiet and calm and can bring comfort to your elderly.
- Pug: Pugs have great temperaments. They are easy to groom and like all dogs, they need daily walks.
- Chihuahua: Chihuahua dogs are lively and loyal. This group of dogs is very alert and can be well trained. But consider not to choose a young dog of this breed for your elderly because it will be difficult to train.
Final Thoughts
In this article from humanhealthmag, we talked about best pet for senior woman. Taking care of pets can create physical activity and mental health of people. The pet forces the elderly to do daily activities and this creates and strengthens the spirit, increases concentration and performance, increases motivation and life expectancy in the elderly.
Pet therapy can be a very good option for the elderly. But before using this method, be sure to consult an elderly doctor. Also, check the ability of your senior to care for the animal. The use of this method depends a lot on the opinion and taste of the elderly, and perhaps some elderly do not enjoy keeping pets.
If your senior has a sitter, you may expect a positive outcome from pet care. But in this case, you should ask the nurse’s opinion before bringing the pet. Anyway, pet therapy is a method and it is not recommended for all elderly people. The nurse can meet all the needs of the elderly. But having a pet can increase hope and vitality in the elderly.
FAQs About Senior-Friendly Pets and Why They’re a Best Choice
Are dogs best pet for senior woman?
Dogs can be good pets for seniors, as long as the senior is physically able to care for them. Dogs can be loyal and loving companions, but they require walking, bathing, grooming, food, and sometimes medical care.
Are cats best pet for senior woman?
Cats can be the best pet for an elderly woman, especially for those looking for a more independent animal. Cats require less care than dogs and are a good option for seniors with mobility issues. However, cats also need food, grooming, vet visits, and litter box cleaning. Hair loss can be a problem in some breeds.
Are fish best pet for senior woman?
Fish can make good pets for the elderly, especially those who are unable to care for a dog or cat. Fish tanks come in a variety of sizes, from small to large, and there are many different types of fish to choose from. Watching the fish swim in the aquarium is relaxing and can make the elderly feel comfortable. The one potential downside to owning fish is that their tanks need to be cleaned regularly to keep them healthy, but if needed, family members or special services can do this for seniors.
Is guinea pig best pet for senior woman?
Guinea pigs can be the easiest pet to take care of for the elderly. They are very playful and love to be cuddled. Guinea pigs need little space for their cages and belongings. Cleaning their living space is necessary, but not difficult. They don’t need to be walked or cleaned up after themselves in the yard, so they can be ideal pets for people with mobility issues.
Are birds best pet for senior woman?
Birds are very entertaining and their high energetic nature can have a positive impact on the living environment of the elderly. There are many different types of birds, some require little maintenance, while others require more hands-on interaction. Some birds sing like canaries, while others can talk like parrots.