yOUR lOVED ONE AND PET OWNERSHIP - PROS AND CONS

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​Pets can affect the mood and health for your loved one. There are physical and mental health advantages that also accompany the pleasure of having a pet. Some of the following are the benefits of the bond between an animal and owner. There are also advantages over people who are not pet owners:

1. Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
2. People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations.
3. Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
4. Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
5. Heart attack patients with pets survive longer.
6. Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer doctor visits.

Your loved one does not necessarily need a dog or cat. Watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and pulse rate with the elderly. A parakeet is a nice companion for a senior. Parakeets want to be held, stroked, and like to talk. They can be calming for an elderly person. 

Some individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia have a positive reaction to pets because it can make their living environment less stressful.

Research at the University of California at Davis of Veterinary Medicine concluded that Alzheimer’s patients suffer less stress and have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a pet in the home. Pets can provide a source of positive, nonverbal communication. The playful interaction and gentle touch from a well-trained animal can help soothe an Alzheimer’s patient and decrease aggressive behavior. In many cases a patient’s problem behavior is a reaction to the stressed response of the primary caretaker. Caring for someone with Alzheimer can be emotionally and physically draining for a caregiver. As a result, at times there may be stressful situations between them. Having a pet can help calm the individual with Alzheimer's disease.  

Pets can help ease the stress of caregivers. Cats or caged animals such as a parakeet may be more suitable than dogs, which generally require more care and can add to the responsibility of someone who’s already looking after an Alzheimer’s patient. Despite all the positive reasons for pet ownership, the following are reasons that could prevent your loved one from owning a pet.

• Your loved one could have allergies to pets.
• The place your parent resides prohibits pet ownership.
• Your loved one is not able to care for his pet and no one is available to help out.
• Animals can be costly – food, licenses, beddings, toys, vets, maintenance, cages, obedience training.
• Pets can be destructive. Pets can have accidents. Some cats are prone to shredding upholstery until their nails are clipped. Some dogs prefer to chew shoes. Training may help but if they do not receive enough exercise and stimulation, they will continue this behavior. Talk with a dog trainer for suggestions so that your loved one can keep the pet.
• An animal may inflict injury to your loved one. Check out the animal prior to giving it to your parent. Spend time with the pet and your parent to help them both get acquainted. If it is a puppy and needs to be trained, you may want to consider obedience training.     ​ 

Before getting a pet for your loved one, talk about the pros and cons together, When possible, have your loved one help pick out the pet with you. Make sure it is the best decision for both of you. Also, have a back-up plan if you are not available to help care for your loved one's pet. 

Resources
The Therapeutic Benefits of Pets - How Caring for a Pet Can Make You Happier and Healthy, June 2011, Lawrence Robinson, PhD, Jeanne Segal, PhD

Can Pets Help Keep You Healthy? NIH News in Health 

Pet Birds for Seniors? August 3, 2016 50 Plus World 

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