Creature Comfort: Does A Pet Make Sense For This Stage Of Your Life?

If you know, you know. That is, if you’re a pet owner (dog, cat, or other), having a pet in your life is usually a non-negotiable, deeply pleasurable experience (while not denying the responsibilities of pet ownership). The dilemma is, for those of us getting on in years, owning and caring for a pet may challenge our lifestyle, our physical capabilities, our housing choices, or even our wallets. Yet for many, if not most, pet owners, life would not be worth living without our animal loved ones. In fact, nearly ½ of US households own a dog.

There’s little debate that pet ownership can bring significant benefits for our physical and emotional well-being. A recent article (and accompanying video) in The New York Times laid out the benefits of pet ownership: Research has found that pet owners have lower blood pressure, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower death rates from stroke and heart attacks, and engage in more physical activity. As the article makes clear, “Pet owners in general, but dog owners in particular, have longer, healthier lives than people who don’t have pets.” This connection between health and pet ownership, however, is not necessarily causative. That is, it’s not clear whether pet ownership makes you healthier, or whether healthier people tend to have pets. 

What is becoming clearer is that for many, the relationships they have with their pets are as fulfilling, if not more so, than relationships they have with any human in their lives. As one commentator noted, “The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.” In fact, the loss of a pet (which eventually happens to everyone) can feel as tragic- or even worse- than losing a loved one in your life. A recent study found that for those who experienced both a human and pet loss, 21% found the death of their pet to be harder to bear. Another recent study found that the death of a pet can trigger prolonged grief disorder comparable to that experienced when a human dies, so that the grief is felt acutely and profoundly. As was noted by an expert, “What matters most isn’t who has died, but the quality and meaning of the relationship with the deceased.” This may be especially difficult if others don’t understand the depth of grief experienced or if the pet owner was involved in the decision to euthanize the pet.

So how do you know if having a pet at this time in life is the right decision for you? Assuming you don’t already have a pet and are considering acquiring one, you may want to ask yourself a series of questions: For example, are you physically mobile enough to care for a pet, or are you willing to increase your physical activity? Are you at risk for falling (pets can be a trip hazard)? How is your upper body strength if you need to lift a pet? What happens if you can no longer care for a pet? (Writing in Kiplinger, journalist Richard Eisenberg implores you to make sure you have an estate plan for your pet.) Columnist Karen Stabiner recently wrote an essay for The Boston Globe entitled, “Am I too old to get a dog?” In it, she describes the lifestyle changes getting a dog will require and the “what if” questions that arise when considering the risks (though her thinking seems to overcome the limits of “what if” planning). But it’s not unwise to think about how owning a new pet could be tumultuous if something happens to you physically, cognitively, or financially. 

In the end, it’s a very personal decision, and for those of us who previously had a pet, the lure of getting a new one may be too enticing to resist. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a way to spend time with a beloved animal without the burdens of pet ownership, consider the recommendations in a recent post on Next Avenue, which suggests you check out pet sitting, dog walking at a shelter, or even hanging out at dog parks to get in a little play time with one of the dog attendees.

And for those of you ready to take the plunge, and wondering what type of dog to own, take a look at this new article in The New Yorker describing the latest “dog du jour,” the Doodle!