Dear Savvy Senior: I have been thinking about getting a small dog or cat for my 72-year-old father. Since mom died a few years ago he doesn't get out much and I'm worried about him.
I think he would enjoy having a pet to take care of and keep him company. I've also read owning a pet is good for your health. What do you think?
-- Pet Loving Pam
Dear Pam: There's no question owning a pet is a good thing for many seniors, but is it right for your dad?
Here are some things to consider:
Talk it over
Before you go out and buy your father a furry friend, you need to talk with him about it to be sure it's what he wants and is equipped to handle.
Do not surprise him with a pet. Pet ownership is a big responsibility and ultimately needs to be his decision.
Here are some other points to think about:?
Commitment -- Does your dad have the health, energy and/or desire to take care of a pet? Cats and especially dogs can be a lot of work requiring food, water, exercise, care and companionship every day.
Space -- Does he have adequate room for a pet, or if he rents, is he permitted to have one?
Costs -- The cost of owning of a pet is often overlooked, but it shouldn't be. Can your dad afford this added expense? The annual average costs of what he can expect to pay for a small dog (including food, veterinary care, toys and license) is $420. Make that $620 for a medium dog and $780 for a large pooch. And the annual cost for a cat (including food, veterinary care, toys, treats and kitty litter) is around $550 per year.
Backup care -- If your dad travels, who will take care of his pet when he's gone? Animal boarding costs around $15 per day. And what happens to the animal if your dad gets sick or needs to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home?
Choosing a pet -- This is a very important decision and one that needs to involve your dad. Do some homework on different breeds and mixes to help him choose a pet with a personality that matches his lifestyle and living arrangements. For seniors, adopting a previously owned or older pet is a smart option because they're usually calmer, already house-broken and not nearly as rambunctious as a puppy or a kitten would be.
Adopting -- A great place to adopt a pet is at your local animal shelter or purebred rescue group which typically offers a nice variety at a low price. These pets are also likely to already be vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Many shelters may offer discounted or free adoption to senior citizens. Be sure to ask. To locate a shelter or rescue in your area look in your local yellow pages or visit www.pets911.com.
Health benefits
You're right about pets being good for our health. Studies have shown that pet owners make fewer doctor visits, have shorter hospital stays and take less medication than people who don't own pets.
Pets can boost our spirits, encourage exercise and socialization and can even help prevent and relieve numerous medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and depression.
Savvy tip: Retired or rejected service dogs also make great pets for seniors because they've been through basic obedience training and are usually already housebroken. Costs range between $100 and $600. To find this type of pet in your area, the American Dog Trainers Network (inch.com/~dogs/service.html) offers a directory of service-dog training organizations that are located in almost every state.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC's Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" books.
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