The benefits and pitfalls of owning a pet

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this”, thought Emma French as she lifted the last morsel out of an otherwise pristine litter box. In 2020 French, a young senior contracted an auto immune disorder making daily chores more difficult. But she knew that as long as she could clean her cat’s litter box, she could continue withe benefit of owning her pet cat.

Studies have shown that pet ownership can be a real bonus for seniors. It’s a way to keep active and have a daily routine. Dogs need to be walked every day and cats and rabbits need to have access to fresh food and water as well as a clean litterbox. In addition, according to an article published by Aging Care, pets can have a positive effect on depression and loneliness. “Older pet owners have told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pets’ companionship,” says Linda Anderson, Founder of the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis. Brenda Morin, a senior from Windsor, Ontario couldn’t agree more. “My cat has always been so comforting.  She just seems to know when I am having a rough or difficult day. She will do something silly at times just to make me smile,” she explains. 

Pets do seem to know when someone isn’t feeling their best and many seniors report that their pets are very intuitive. Ottawa seniors Lorna Pitcher and her husband Steve concur. “All our cats have shown remarkable intuition about both our physical health and our occasional grief, stress or sadness. They’ve helped my husband recover from three operations and cuddled up with me through many migraines and viruses,” said Pitcher.    

Albertan senior Sharon Newbery also reports that her life is enriched by her three pets. A dog, Shadow, is a rescue from Mexico and her two cats, Hunter and Lucy, were adopted from the CARES Cat Shelter in Langley, BC. “They are always happy to see me, and they are a joy to watch play and cuddle,” she says. “Hunter sleeps with me, and it’s nice to be able to reach out in the night and feel a living, breathing, warm soft cat. Sometimes his purring puts me to sleep,” she adds.

Experts agree that pets can be very good for seniors, but what kind of a pet is suitable? Obviously, a high energy Jack Russell Terrier wouldn’t do for someone who couldn’t properly exercise him. Also, many apartment complexes will not allow pets or place limits on its size. This can also be true even if the senior owns a condo or townhouse. The governing strata could have a say on the size and types of pets.

Another consideration when adopting a pet is that different pets have different needs and depending on those needs, costs will vary. According to the Complete Guide to Pet Owners, the yearly cost to maintain a large dog will cost upwards of $1,000 whereas a cat could cost about $500 a year. Birds are considered low maintenance pets, but they still need daily care and may be noisy depending on the type.

Something else to think about is veterinary care.  Pets should be seen by a vet on a regular basis, and in some cases treatment can be costly. “You need to remember that veterinary care is a must, and you should budget for quality food for your pet. If your budget is tight now, you may not be able to afford their upkeep – and it would be heartbreaking to give them up because you can’t afford them”, Pitcher explains.

In addition, if a pet gets sick or hurt and needs emergency care, the cost can skyrocket very quickly. Pet insurance is something that will help keep pet ownership more affordable. Many policies will pay for your pet’s regular veterinary care and will cover most illnesses and injuries. 

Another issue to consider is that a pet might outlive its owner. In Emma French’s case, a health scare led her to think about what would happen to her beloved cat should Emma pre-decease her. “At first, I was going to ask a friend, but I realized this could be a financial burden, so I changed my will to include a yearly stipend for Susie’s care, just in case,” she explains. 

If you are thinking of getting a companion, it’s a good idea to do some pre-planning. “I’d say first take stock of your current health and your likely future health. Be realistic – if you can’t walk around the block now, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to walk a dog twice a day,” says Pitcher.

Without a doubt, seniors and pets are good for each other and with some planning the benefits can outweigh the pitfalls. “You will never regret it,” says Morin. “A pet gives unconditional love in exchange for being fed, cared for and loved. Their antics will always put a smile on your face,” she adds. Sharon Newberry agrees. “You won’t regret it. They give more than they get,” she says with a smile.