Figuring Out Whether Getting a Dog is a Good Choice for an Elderly Person

by Denisse Aguilar on in Interesting Facts 64
senior citizen with pug

Taking in a sweet doggy in need is one of the greatest things to do. You can provide them with a warm home, and they will provide you with unconditional love.

Some people need this love and companionship more than others. Senior citizens are often lonely and have trouble going out of their way to be more social.

Luckily, a doggy friend can provide an older person with love and take the loneliness away. If you're a senior or know of a senior who is need of a furry friend, there are some things to consider before adoption.

It's important to learn whether adopting a doggy is the right thing for a senior citizen. You can do that by asking yourself questions and quizzing the older person to see if they can care properly for the pooch.

Find out how to tell if getting a dog is a good choice for an elderly person on the next page.

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64 thoughts on “Figuring Out Whether Getting a Dog is a Good Choice for an Elderly Person”

  23. Nancy J Tiemann

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    I totally agree, however, some things to cosider are who will care for your precious companion if you have to go to a nursing home, or in the event of your death. You don’t want your pet going to a shelter with lots of disconcerting racket or to have your precious pet going to a home where they won’t be cared for as well. Also, as already mentioned, is the cost of their food and health. One more thought is that if the person is prone to falling, a pet who follows you closely may cause you to stumble, especially is they are on a leash and you get tangled up walking them. In my own case, I have a doggie door, but if folks have to walk they pets it is entirely different.

  26. Terry Lovett

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    that’s the problem can I justify my comport against leaving my beloved pet in limbo, seeing all the unwanted elderly pets looking for homes, personally I can’t care for a dog that needs a lot of care itself, I just lost my 12 year old, he had no control of things, lifting him to go up and down stairs, (he was 18 pounds, not big but a struggle for me) and walking him when he would take long time to finish. I loved him dearly but physically for me left us in bad situations. After loosing him I am really debating should I get another dog with my health problems

  30. Nancy J Tiemann

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    Then that is your fault. I’ve had 10 Pugs since 1964, usually in multiples and not one of them was bad. They had faults like I do, but they weren’t as you called your Pug. Shame on you!!!!

  34. Gino Pranu

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    another sad thing is that alot of elderly are mentally unstable and i mean dementia and others that actually makes them forget that they have pets so the pets starve to death. sadly in the netherlands where i live this is a major thing thats happening or they get over fed because they forgot when they last fed them.

  38. Dawn Denson

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    Yes, Jeanne, because people should always be able to know when a perfect stranger is being sarcastic when they can’t hear tone of voice or see facial expressions. So stop being a snotty little$#%&!@*mmmkay.

  46. Teri Bowers

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    I believe that a dog can improve the quality of life of an elderly person, and give them a source of love, and something to focus on other thsn their own problems…but you must be realistic…I am elderly, I have had rescue pugs for the ladt 59 years if my life…they have been my greatest joy, and love…..sadly for the first time I can remember inmy life, I am without a pug….I gave my dear Rex to a friend who is also a volunteer, like me, at the pug rescue in my town…it was one of the hardest moments in my life…but I had to do it for HIM, not me…I had my 6th back surgery and am suffering from nerve damage to my legs, it will not improve…I can no longer walk my dog, I am unable to move to a home instead of the apartment because I am disabled, and live on only $735 a month..it does not go very far…I am sad, and lonely, and lost without a friend…my dear pug…but to keep an animal, any animal and not be able to care for it properly is wrong…..I have pictures of all my pugs and the ashes of my babies to be put with mine when I go…my comfort is my memories, which I hold dear in my heart…to all of you healthly adults out their who love dogs, please adopt a dog from a rescue or shelter, you can save a life, change a life, and give your life the blessing of a dogs unconditional love……..

  47. Dave Loomis

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    Just keep in mind most dogs have a 15 to 20 year lifespan. If your elderly relative is going to get a dog, you need to make sure there’s going to be someone willing to take that creature when they pass.

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