Crossing into old age doesn’t mean your life is over. A common misconception is that elderly people shouldn’t adopt dogs because they need to prioritize their health. Quite the contrary – pets for seniors are proven to improve mental, physical, and emotional health. 

Should elderly people have a pet?

Age is just a number. Whether you’re 7 or 70, caring for a pet can add a lot of value to your life. We aren’t the only people who think so – more than half of adults over 50 have at least one pet. 

A myth you might have heard is that elderly people can’t or shouldn’t have dogs. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. As long as it suits your lifestyle, you can absolutely adopt a dog in your golden years. In fact, there are a few perks of pets for seniors. 

How Pet Parenthood Benefits Your Health 

A Healthy Aging study was performed by the University of Michigan in 2018. Results show that people between 50 and 80 benefit from caring for pets. 88% of respondents agree that their pets helped them enjoy life. 79% said having a pet reduced their stress and gave them a sense of purpose. 

Physical Benefits of Pets for Seniors

The physical aspects of aging are no fun at all. Slowly but surely, your energy levels get lower. Little things like walking up and down the stairs might get harder. It can be frustrating when you have less energy to work, run errands, or socialize. 

This is where pets for seniors can provide motivation. 78% of participants agreed their dog pushed them to be more physically active. A daily walk can strengthen your muscles and lower your chance of cancer, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.

Even just having an animal nearby can boost your health. Bonding with a pet has been proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

Mental and Emotional Benefits

The most obvious perk of pets for seniors is emotional support. Animals like dogs are extremely empathetic. Their heightened senses analyze our body language to discern our moods. Some studies even suggest that dogs can smell different emotions. 

Getting older comes with plenty of heartbreak. You might lose friends and family. Losing your mobility is no easy feat. Whether it’s loneliness or facing a diagnosis, having a furry friend might help you see the sunny side of things. 

Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health. If a normal pet won’t cut it, many seniors adopt a trained emotional support dog to help them with PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. 

The Best Dog Breeds for Older People

If you’re looking for a new pet in your golden years, choose a breed that fits your lifestyle. Here’s what we consider the best dogs for seniors. 

Miniature Schnauzer

Weight: 11-19 pounds

Height: 12-14 inches

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

This breed is one of the best dogs for seniors for three reasons: low shedding, low energy, and low maintenance. Miniature Schnauzers are also size-appropriate for elderly people, weighing less than 20 pounds fully grown. 

As members of the Terrier group, these dogs are sturdy, smart, and independent. Miniature Schnauzers are also generally healthy dogs, leaving room for you to prioritize your well-being.

Cocker Spaniel

Weight: 20-30 pounds

Height: 13.5-15.5 inches

Life Expectancy: 10-14 years

Both American and English Cocker Spaniels are the best dog breeds for older people. Honestly, any member of the Spaniel family will do, but this breed is special. Cocker Spaniels are lovers. These dogs will shower you with kisses, cuddles, and emotional support. 

With luscious coats and long floppy ears, it’s irresistible to love on these pups. If you are looking to get companionship out of a dog, this is the breed for you. Plus, Cocker Spaniels are considered a “people-pleasing breed” that’s easy to train.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Weight: Up to 30 pounds

Height: 10-12 inches

Life Expectancy: 12-13 years

Don’t believe Corgis are the best dogs for seniors? The longest-reigning British monarch in history would beg to differ. In her 96 years of life, Queen Elizabeth II cared for 30 different Corgis. She left behind two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Sandy and Muick, after her death in 2022. 

There’s a reason Her Highness loved the breed so much. Corgis are small, sturdy, and undeniably cute. These pups are perfect pets for seniors who need motivation to get outside. Short daily walks or outdoor playtime are enough to tire out a Corgi. 

Havanese

Weight: 7-13 pounds

Height: 8.5-12.5 inches

Life Expectancy: 14-16 years

If you struggle with depression or anxiety, consider adopting a Havanese. These pups have a happy-go-lucky attitude that pairs perfectly with their bouncy walk. Havanese dogs also love to entertain their human family and brighten up their day. 

Their small size is another reason this breed is one of the best dogs for seniors. Fully-grown Havanese dogs only weigh around 7 to 13 pounds. If you ever need to pick up this pup, odds are it won’t break your back.

The Easiest Way to Feed Human-Grade Dog Food

As you get older, it might become harder to feed your pup. Nobody wants to lug around heavy bags of kibble forever. Making your dog’s meals from scratch is great, but what happens when you lose the energy to cook every day? You can prioritize your dog’s health and your peace of mind by switching to Sundays for Dogs.

Sundays is the easiest way to give your dog human-grade food. Each recipe is made with 100% whole food ingredients, including 80% or more real meat, fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Through a gentle air-drying process, Sundays produces a shelf-stable fresh dog food that can be served without any prep or refrigeration. 

We highly recommend Sundays for seniors with dogs because it’s shipped straight to your door. No more trips to the pet store to stock up on kibble bags or wet dog food cans. Plus, you’ll save 20% on every reorder when you subscribe.