I held her as she took her last breath. I kissed her face and then I felt her muscles relax. She was gone. We took the humane approach and euthanized our dog, Precious, on Monday, October 5, 2020. She was a family member for sixteen years. In early September, she began having seizures and an MRI revealed a brain tumor. Her decline was quick and we decided to end her suffering.
There is no doubt that dogs are “man’s
best friend,” loving us unconditionally and providing a level of friendship,
companionship, and acceptance humans cannot. However, as a gerontologist, I am
not in favor of older adults acquiring dogs in most cases. I have had this
position for many years, and I have taken this stance based on the scholarly
literature and client feedback. While I know readers may disagree with my
stance, please know that I am a dog lover but do not plan on adopting another
dog when my 7-year old Chihuahua Hector is finally gone.
On June 3, 2014, I posted an article here titled, “The Awesomeness of Pets as Companions for Older Adults,” a scholarly study of dog owners, exercise, and social interaction. The dog owners in the mobile home park got more socialization and exercise than those without dogs. It is worth knowing that there are benefits and risks to dog ownership in old age.
In my practice, I have encountered clients who want a dog to “keep me out of a nursing home,” based on the false assumption that they will avoid institutionalization because they own a dog. Sometimes, they want to avoid assisted living because most do not allow dogs. That is not only faulty thinking but not a justification for acquiring a new pet.
Sometimes, dementia is a factor. Another former client who was then 74, stated, “I have always wanted a Wolfdog, a wolf-German Shepherd, so I’m going to find one to adopt.” The woman, who is now deceased, was sedentary, in poor health, and indigent. She used a walker and had mobility issues. Against my recommendations and those of her family, she adopted a large dog anyway. She was frequently in and out of the hospital and nursing homes, sometimes for many weeks and she asked friends to feed it in her absence.
There are numerous factors to consider when thinking about adopting a pet. Dogs live up to fifteen years or more. Is it prudent for an 80-year old to adopt a puppy? Probably not. Dogs are expensive and require a lot of attention and maintenance. Some considerations are regular checkups, dental care, grooming and bathing, nail clipping, heartworm and flea preventive, boarding and/or dog caregiving, lifting the dog into a vehicle, and more.
When you retire from driving, how will you get to and from the vet appointments? Public transportation and commercial ride pools most often do not allow animals. In the home, animals underfoot is a fall hazard. Approximately 86,000 injuries are reported every year in America due to tripping over pets. Drivers over age seventy are twice as likely to be in a car crash when a pet is riding in the car (Senior Directory, 2020).
Although it is assumed that pet companionship may prevent or offset loneliness, studies show otherwise. We should not be proposing “pet interventions” for combating loneliness. “It is not a protection against loneliness, but a response to it” (Pikhartova, Bowling, & Victor, 2014). Acquiring a new pet in old age doesn’t pass the common sense test in most cases. The decision requires careful self-assessment and insight. It’s not one size fits all.
Questions to consider:
- Are you willing to accommodate? Pets will force you to change certain behaviors and your routine. Are you willing to exercise the dog and take it out for regular potty breaks? Employed older adults must consider how much time is spent away from home.
- Do you travel a lot? Remember that you will need to find someone to watch your pet. This is not free!
- Are you healthy enough to have a pet? Day after day of taking care of your pet can be challenging if you are in a state of poor health or declining health.
- What type of breed is right for you? Not all pets are created equal, meaning that different breeds can make owning a pet more or less challenging.
- What is the health and age of the pet you are interested in owning? Young pets require attention and training, old pets require care and accommodation. Cats and dogs, depending on the breed, can live up to 15 or 20 years. Is this a commitment you can make financially and emotionally?
- What would happen if you could no longer care for your pet? Do you have friends or family that would accept the pet if needed? If the answer is no, please do not get a pet. If the answer is yes, put it in writing and make an accommodation in your will.
- Can you afford a pet? Finances are always an aspect of life, and pets require money just like anything else. Research your ideal pet so you have an idea of what you are getting into to ensure they will not become a financial burden on you.
References
Davis Community. Pets and the Elderly – What are the Risks? https://www.thedaviscommunity.org/2016/02/02/pets-elderly-risks/
Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Hediger, K. (2019). Pet ownership and human-animal interaction in an aging population: Rewards and challenges. Anthrozoös, 32(2), 255-265. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fellow-creatures/201906/the-challenges-and-benefits-pet-ownership-seniors
Pikhartova, J., Bowling, A., & Victor, C. (2014). Does owning a pet protect older people against loneliness? BMC Geriatrics, 14(106). Retrieved from http://www.biomedcantral.com/1471-2318/14/106.
Senior Directory.com. Should Seniors Own Pets? Pros, Cons, & FAQs. https://seniordirectory.com/articles/info/should-seniors-own-pets-pros-cons-faqs
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