No matter how old you are, there are benefits to living with pets. 

This is true — especially for seniors — in spite of what some call the downside to having pets. Having a dog, cat or other pet is a positive thing for senior citizens, for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:

A pet can provide companionship

This is a huge reason why senior citizens may want to consider bringing a pet into their lives. As people retire and age, their social circles can sometimes shrink. When that happens, it’s easy to feel lonely. But having a pet in the home, who might snuggle up when one is reading a book or watching a favorite program, can go a long way to reducing the emotional impact of shrinking social circles. A pet also provides a non-judgmental audience to talk to, no matter the subject.

A pet can be a distraction from aging and physical issues

Having a pet at home means that a senior citizen has something to focus on besides the fact that they are aging. It means they are less likely to fixate on physical issues — thoughts about aging and loss. It can even help them to have better memory recall, psychologist Penny B. Donnenfeld said on the AgingCare website.

A pet can give a sense of purpose

As an individual ages and their life changes, particularly when they don’t have to go to work daily, sometimes they can lose the feeling that they are needed. Bringing a furry friend into their home can give a sense that their life has meaning, because there is a pet in the home who depends on them.

A pet can help to create opportunities to remain social

This is particularly true for individuals who bring a dog into their lives as they get older. Dogs need regular walks and require visits to the vet, groomer or even the pet store. This gets a senior citizen out of their home and gives them more opportunities to interact with other pet owners and those who care for animals. That can help to reduce isolation from other people and loneliness.

A pet can help lower blood pressure

Seniors who own a pet (or pets) may also have lower blood pressure than those who do not. This is partly because they offer companionship. Research has actually shown that interactions with a dog can lower blood pressure for the human. Talking to a dog, petting the dog — both activities can improve an individual’s heart rate and blood pressure. This presents the possibility of improved heart health.

Sure, cute puppies, older dogs, kittens and adult cats do require care, but they can also help the senior citizen who brings them home.