A Best Dog Breed For Senior Citizen can have. Dogs are social and affectionate animals that love human company as much as eating and sleeping. That an elderly person has a dog as a pet, is a benefit for both parties : for the person, the animal offers all its love in addition to preventing certain physical and mental illnesses; For the dog, owning a retired person translates into more time together.
If you have ever thought about giving a dog to someone older in the family, or if you are the veteran who wants to adopt a pet, we have prepared an article with the main reasons to have a dog, in addition to creating a list with the best dog breeds for seniors.
Why Should A Senior Citizen Have A Dog?
Living with a dog has multiple benefits for humans. But if they are elderly, and even more so, if they live alone, having a dog means having a best friend to always count on, as well as eradicating the annoying feeling of loneliness that haunts so many people in the world. The presence of a dog in the life of an elderly person represents an increase in their health . The explanation is very simple. Some older people, whether due to shyness, lack of Best Dog Breed For Senior Citizens social circles or any other reason, decide to stop going out and seclude themselves at home, which is very bad for their health. However, if these same people adopt a dog, they are suddenly going to need to go outside to walk the dog at least three times a day.
Outdoor walks mean exercising and ventilating the lungs . If, moreover, they also go to the park to play ball, for example, the fact of having to throw it so that the dog can go after it means exercising for the joints and preventing diseases such as osteoarthritis. What's more, according to a recent study conducted a few years ago, it has been revealed that having a dog helps older people to get closer to the goals of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization.
On the other hand, when performing any physical activity, the brain releases endorphins, hormones that give a feeling of happiness and well-being . Being happy, any person forgets the feelings of apathy, loneliness or anguish .
Going out on the street with a dog, especially if it is a puppies, people who see it can not refrain from stopping for a moment to pet it and exchange a few words with the owner. Therefore, another benefit of living with a dog is almost immediate socialization, both inside and outside the home, and increased self-esteem.
Having a pet is like having a child, it implies a responsibility for its owner, on whom it depends to survive. Thus, older people who no longer have a job, have the necessary time to dedicate 100% to the pet. In this way our elderly feel useful and leave behind feelings such as sadness or depression. It is already known by the popular saying that " dog is man's best friend ". And reason is not lacking in the phrase, because dogs are faithful, loyal and protective animals. For many people more than animals, they are, as we have said before, a son or a faithful friend.
That an elderly person has a dog as a pet is also a benefit for the animal . As a general rule, although not always, young people or adults hardly have enough time to take their dogs out 3 times a day, even less to play with them or pamper them as much as they should. However, an elderly person has a lot of time available, as well as the patience to pamper the dog whenever it demands it.
What things to consider before adopting a dog for an elderly person? Dogs , in addition to being devoted life companions and offering many benefits on an emotional and physical level, are dependent and need to be with a responsible person who knows how to attend to their basic needs and take good care of them.
Before giving a dog to the oldest person in the family, make sure that the animal will not be a burden to her. Check that you have the necessary resources and sufficient strength to properly care for the dog.
Keep in mind that the appearance of a dog implies the need for changes in the life of any person. The dog can adapt and even share some of the owner's hobbies, such as lying on the sofa watching TV. But do not forget that a series of requirements must also be respected, such as taking him for a walk and playing with other dogs in the park, or playing ball with him.
Other aspects that you should weigh are that the person who is going to take care of the dog. Have enough financial resources to afford quality feed . Live in a place with nearby parks , where you can go for a walk. As well as having the ability to move to get to the park. Take responsibility for the dog's health and take it to the vet regularly for vaccinations and routine check-ups.
How Should Dogs That Live With An Elderly Person Be?
Although all Best Dog Breed For Senior Citizens are equally good as pets, in the case of living with an elderly person it is better to choose a certain type of dog that meets a series of requirements. Before you bring the dog home, be sure to assess whether the dog's characteristics are compatible with the health and lifestyle of its future owner.