Doctor on call: How pets can boost senior health and longevity

Pets may do more than offer companionship, they could help older adults live longer, healthier lives.

Why are pets important for senior adults?

“American Heart Association did studies long ago that animals, dogs, cats, any kind of animals, pets, increase lifespan because there's like a routine. If you're taking care of something else, it's like giving you purpose, sense of purpose. So we're not just talking of seniors who are living alone. It's even seniors living with family. It's just still that routine and responsibility that I got to take care of so and so.”

What role does nurturing play in that relationship?

“We all human beings are nurturing kind of people, right? So we want to nurture somebody and that somebody, when the children are grown, grandchildren are grown, it's the doggie.”

Is there a scientific explanation behind how people bond with pets?

“There is a oxytocin response. Did you know that? When the dog is looking at you and you're looking at the dog. It's almost like when mom is looking at a baby, that oxytocin response, that love response, and that's real.”

Can pets also improve physical health?

“People walk their dogs, their heart health is much better because of that. When you're walking a dog, you're meeting other neighbors, and you're not socially isolated because you get to talk to your neighbors or say hello or whatever.”

Are there any cautions to keep in mind?

“Of course, as we always say, that whenever there's a benefit, there might be something to think about as a caution. Sometimes, when seniors get a little frail, you have to be careful because if that doggie is running around and can make you fall, that's the time to be cautious and start wondering, like, am I safe with the dog? Because we always want to do safety first, right?”

Is pet size something to consider?

“Yeah. Safety issue. Yeah.”

Do you know any personal stories of seniors and pets?

“There is a gentleman I know in a nursing home. He's on a motorized wheelchair. And he says that this dog saved, I rescued this dog, but I'm not sure who rescued who. Because the dog sits on his lap, and the gentleman goes around, and he's like, This little puppy has given me so much of love that I can't say thank you to the puppy.”

What about seniors who feel a loss of purpose after retirement?

“It's kind of like when people retire, you know, they have their routine. They retire, then it's like, okay, what's next? If they don't stay busy, they often die sooner. Right. If you have a pet, you have purpose. Right, right. Keep that purpose. Right.”

What happens when a pet passes away?

“Sadly, but when the pet does pass away, there is grieving, and that's normal. There is a certain amount of like, just the stages of grieving, like a human being will grieve another human being. There is a stage of grieving for the puppy as well, or I'm just calling it puppy because that's what I would always say, but a pet.”