Here’s How Pets Can Reduce Anxiety And Depression In Seniors

Anxiety and depression are some of the most prevalent mental health problems throughout the world and seniors have a particularly high risk of developing these health conditions. In fact, a 2020 survey revealed that one in four adults ages 65 and up reported anxiety or depression. 

Having to deal with strong negative emotions can be overwhelming, and mental health conditions can even lead to other health problems such as heart disease, obesity, and certain types of cancer. 

Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression, and one of them is caring for a pet. 

Studies have shown that having a pet cat or dog can be beneficial for seniors. Moreover, recent findings prove that caring for a pet can boost mental wellness, especially during challenging times. Here’s how pets can reduce anxiety and depression in seniors.

A pet won’t necessarily cure anxiety or depression, but having one can reduce the risk of both conditions. And, for a senior with mental health issues, pets may help decrease the severity of some symptoms.

How Pets Help Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Having a Pet Can Boost Independence

Aging comes with many changes that can affect a person’s ability to do tasks that were once effortless or easy for them. For this reason, seniors would have to rely on family, friends, or caregivers, and doing so may trigger feelings of helplessness. 

A study shows that there are several risk factors for the loss of independence, such as social isolation, loss of appetite, and depression, among others. All of these can have a negative effect on a senior’s quality of life. 

Finding ways to improve their mobility and giving them space to make simple, day-to-day decisions can help to boost an older adult’s independence. A pet helps in these areas.  

Taking care of a pet involves feeding and perhaps walking them daily, as well as giving them lots of cuddles. Those practices are as good for the senior’s health as they are for the pet’s.

Another critical detail is keeping pets warm and comfortable during the cold months. Doing these things can give seniors a sense of purpose, which can boost their self-esteem. 

Having more confidence can make them feel happier and reduce feelings of depression or loneliness. 

Many people will do more for another person or an animal than for themselves. As a result, pets are an excellent source of external motivation.

Pets Can Encourage Seniors to be More Active

More than half of older adults aren’t active due to pain and discomfort. These can limit one’s motivation to move, but lack of physical activity can increase a senior’s susceptibility to anxiety and depression, while also making mobility issues worse in the long-term. 

Having a pet, particularly a dog, can be a good way to encourage seniors to get more exercise. Research highlights this effect, even suggesting that loaner dogs may be useful for encouraging activity.

Seniors who don’t use mobility aids may aim to go on a 10-20 minute walk with their dog every day to start with, then increase the amount of time as they get more comfortable doing so. For older adults who use a walker, it’s recommended to use a no-pull dog harness for safety. 

Training a dog to walk calmly alongside a person who uses a walker can also help to prevent accidents– it’s recommended that a relative or a friend should take on this task. Having a sturdy or stable walker is also important since even a calm dog can get underfoot and cause accidental trips or falls. 

Cats don’t promote mobility as much as dogs, but they’re still helpful. They’re especially relevant for seniors who find standing and walking difficult, as a cat will encourage them to move more often.

Pets Help Seniors to be More Social

Seniors are at risk of loneliness and isolation since they are more likely to live alone. 

Whether they choose to age in place or live in a nursing home, older adults can become even more socially isolated for various reasons. No longer being the head of the family, getting weaker, or retiring from work can cause seniors to retreat from the world and reduce communication with their friends and loved ones. 

While some may think that being alone for long periods of time may not be harmful to anyone’s health, studies show that loneliness and isolation can result in serious medical conditions in seniors.

So, it’s crucial to keep social ties strong through regular visits and interactions with loved ones. 

Having a pet is helpful in a few ways.

First, having a pet directly increases social interactions. This is most noticeable with dogs, as people often come up and talk to dog owners during walks. In fact, having a pet with you while you’re out and about makes you seem more approachable, so not only will a senior get more exercise by walking with their pet, but they’re also more likely to make new friends wherever they go. 

Research also shows that people who have a pet cat or dog are better at initiating conversations and are more open to forming new connections. This may be partly because having a pet gives people something to talk about and bond over.

Can Decrease Loneliness

Having a pet can also directly decrease loneliness, as the animal fulfills some social and emotional needs of an older adult. This is particularly helpful for seniors who live alone. Simply having a pet who shares the space can make things much better.

Pets don’t provide the same benefits as human connection, so the senior should still get out and engage with other people. Still… pets help in the quiet times where the senior is home and would otherwise be alone.

Changes Focus

Finally, pets help with mental health because the change a person’s focus. When you live alone, it’s easy to get too heavily focused on your own thoughts and emotions.

A pet breaks up negative cycles, giving seniors something else to focus on. There’s also a natural release of endorphins and dopamine from interacting with pets regularly, which is powerful for mental health.

What Type of Pet Should Seniors Get?

Finding the right pet takes time and effort, regardless of a prospective pet owner’s age. For an older adult, several factors should be considered before adopting a cat, dog, or any other type of domesticated animal. 

For instance, if your senior relative or friend is newly retired, is still quite active, and won’t mind giving a pet a lot of attention and care, then a puppy may be the perfect pet for them. Remember that compared to older dogs, puppies can be incredibly active and need a lot of attention, so only go with a puppy if your loved one can handle caring for it. 

On the other hand, if they want a dog but want one that’s calm and easy to train, then consider a Labrador Retriever, poodle, Border Collie, or Miniature Schnauzer. Not only are they gentle and easy-going, but they’re also friendly and affectionate. 

Cats can also provide a host of health benefits for seniors, and having a calm, low maintenance, and mild-mannered cat can be therapeutic for older adults. Some of the best cat breeds that would make good companions for seniors include the Scottish Fold, Australian Mist, American Shorthair, and Snowshoe. 

Meanwhile, for seniors without enough mobility to care for a dog or cat, a pet bird may be the best option. Some bird species that are best for older adults include budgies, canaries, zebra finches, and cockatiels. 

Other pets that would be a good fit for seniors include fish and rabbits, so talk it over with your loved one to see what type of pet they want. Make sure to explain how much care their pet of choice will need so they can make an informed decision before visiting the animal shelter or pet store.  

A pet can be the perfect companion for older adults. They are loving and adorable and can help improve a senior’s health and overall wellbeing in so many different ways.

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