Aging: Pets Help Older Adults Cope with Health Issues and Stay Active

A sleeping cat, a dog wagging its tail, a chirping parakeet, or even a simple goldfish can help older adults dealing with mental and/or physical health issues. A national survey conducted in the United States confirms that the benefits of having a pet are numerous, even though this can also be a source of concern. Some people even go so far as to prioritize their pets’ needs over their own health.

According to this study on healthy aging, conducted by the University of Michigan, 55% of the 2,051 adults surveyed—aged 50 to 80—own a pet, and more than half of them have more than one. Three-quarters of older pet owners believe their pets reduce their stress or even give them a reason to live. In addition, two-thirds of animal owners and 78% of dog owners say their pets help them be more physically active.

For those facing health issues, owning a pet appears to be even more beneficial. More than 70% of these older adults report that their pet helps them cope with physical or emotional difficulties, and 46% say it helps them manage pain. In contrast to these positive effects, the loss of a pet can have a very real psychological impact that loved ones must remain mindful of.

For more than half of older pet owners, getting a pet was motivated by the need for companionship. Relationships with animals are perceived as less complicated than those with humans. Pets give older adults a sense of being needed and loved. Nevertheless, 60% of older animal owners believe that owning a pet helps build stronger social connections and keeps them in touch with others.

The survey results also highlight concerns related to pet ownership. For example, 18% acknowledge that healthcare expenses place a heavy burden on their budget. For more than half of animal owners, having a pet also makes it harder to travel or engage in activities outside the home. One in six respondents also says they prioritize their pet’s needs over their own health needs—a figure that rises to nearly one in four among those facing health issues.

The 45% of older adults who do not have a pet cite several reasons: 42% say they do not want to be dependent, 20% say they do not have time to devote to a pet, 23% cite the cost of care, and 16% cite allergies, either their own or those of a household member. For people without pets but who would like to have one, there is always the option of volunteering at a local animal shelter or pet-sitting for friends and family.

This study highlights the many physical, psychological, and social benefits that pets can provide to older adults. Recognizing that pets are a source of well-being and contribute to a better quality of life and better health, an increasing number of residential facilities are allowing residents to own a pet. Similarly, animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted intervention offers a wide variety of stimuli designed to alleviate emotional distress, promote self-esteem, and encourage communication among older adults.