The Perks of Seniors’ Pets: 7 Health Benefits

Pets aren’t just companions—for many people, they’re also beloved family members. Many people form deep, lasting bonds with their pets, and anyone who’s a pet owner will tell you that the love they show through a purr or a lick on your hand brightens the day and brings about a sense of well-being and happiness.

At Cedarhurst, we recognize the importance of this connection between pets and their owners, which is why we welcome pets in many of our communities. Seniors’ pets don’t just provide companionship, happiness, and a sense of belonging to the owner—they also offer several health benefits to those who just interact with them. Keep reading to learn more about some of the many health benefits of pet ownership.

1. Seniors’ pets provide easy companionship. 

Pets offer unconditional love: Treat them well, and you’ll have a friend for life. These relationships can make the weight of aging’s many challenges feel a little lighter. 

They also reduce loneliness. As people get older, they may find themselves more isolated for a variety of reasons, such as driving becoming more difficult or friends moving away. Research suggests that loneliness is associated with a greater risk of depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and dementia and that it’s just as bad for health as smoking. While having consistent connections with others is critical to reducing feelings of loneliness, pets can also have a part in relieving these feelings. 

2. Seniors’ pets help reduce stress. 

We all know how awful stress feels, but stress doesn’t just feel bad—it’s also bad for you. Chronic stress is linked to a wide variety of medical issues and even premature death. One study found that stress shortens life expectancy by almost three years. 

Pets help reduce stress by decreasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol. They can also encourage the adoption of healthy stress management techniques, such as gathering with friends at a dog park or going for a walk. Pet owners are less stressed, and that means they’re healthier and enjoy their lives more. 

3. Seniors’ pets provide an incentive to keep moving. 

Exercise is one of the best things someone can do for their health. Even just 11 minutes of exercise a day can add years to a person’s life. However, aging can make exercise more difficult, especially for someone with chronic pain or mobility limitations. A sedentary lifestyle can easily become a habit. 

When a pet wants to play, it’s hard to tell them no. Exercise becomes something fun instead of a chore on a to-do list. Over time, regular exercise can:

• Improve heart health.
• Reduce the risk of chronic disease.
• Improve mental health.
• Help maintain a healthy weight.
• Lower the risk of dementia.
  
  

4. Seniors’ pets serve as a social icebreaker.

Connection is a vital ingredient in the recipe for good health. Meeting new people can be challenging, though. While the right senior living community offers numerous benefits, the transition can be hard for people who are shy or uncomfortable in new settings. Joining a new group can feel intimidating. 

Pets help break the ice. After all, who doesn’t love petting an adorable puppy or sharing amusing pet anecdotes with a fellow animal lover? One study found that pet owners were 60 percent more likely to meet new people in their neighborhoods. 

Think an adorable puppy is the only way to make friends? Think again! Nontraditional pets are social icebreakers, too, offering conversation starters and a chance to connect with others. So, an enormous aquarium or a tiny hamster can be just as important to well-being as a more traditional pet. 

5. Seniors’ pets help decrease dementia symptoms.

Research consistently finds that pets can help ease some of the most challenging symptoms of dementia, including irritability, agitation, and depression. As your parent’s ability to connect with family declines, their ability to connect with an animal may remain intact, reducing their feelings of loneliness and isolation. 

Pets are so valuable to the well-being of people with dementia that even robotic pets can help ease feelings of anxiety and stress and reduce the need for pain medications in people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

6. Seniors’ pets provide intellectual stimulation. 

Caring for pets can be challenging—and that’s a good thing! If you’ve ever watched YouTube videos on pets, delved into dog training manuals, or joined a bird-watching group, you know that animal behavior is immensely fascinating. There’s always something more to learn.

Intellectual stimulation can help keep the brain healthy. Staying mentally active strengthens the neurons, reducing the risk of dementia. It’s also just fun. Pets’ antics—and occasional misbehavior—can give the day shape and purpose, helping their owner enjoy the next chapter of their life. 

7. Seniors’ pets promote a better quality of life overall.

Quality of life matters. The joy someone gets from owning a pet, the reduced stress, and the improved social opportunities should all be reason enough to welcome an animal companion into a senior living community. After all, emotional well-being and physical health are inextricably linked. A person who feels good about their life and has a sense of purpose is better equipped to keep moving, keep going to the doctor, and stick with a healthy diet. 

Aside from mental health benefits, pets can also improve physical health. Research has found a number of benefits, including: 

• Reduced blood pressure: This reduction in blood pressure may correspond to a reduction in feelings of stress. 
• An improvement in mood: When a pet companion is there to boost their owner’s mood, it reduces the risks of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. 
• Better pain management: This may reduce the need to use potentially addictive pain medication. 
• A healthier immune system: This can be especially important for older adults who may be more vulnerable to serious complications from infectious diseases, such as the flu. 

How can older adults stay connected?

There are so many health benefits of pet ownership, but it’s also critical to ensure there’s a healthy amount of human connection, such as gathering with friends, enjoying dinner out with family, or simply participating in an event with a close group of friends. 

Find out how senior living communities help older adults find social connections and make it easier to meet new people in our guide, Everything You Need to Know About Social Health in Senior Living.

This post was originally published in February 2023 and updated in December 2024.