The relationship between pets and their owners is a truly unique and special connection. Pets offer almost unconditional love as long as their owners can adequately take care of them, while the owners get to walk through life with a loyal companion.
It makes sense that many seniors living independently choose to adopt a pet to ease the common feelings of loneliness. There are so many options that seniors can consider. Let’s take a look at some of the best choices:
The Top 5 Best Pets for Senior Citizens
1. Dogs
Fortunately, most dogs can quickly adapt to the environment they are taken to and have a lifespan of 12-15 years, and to add more fun to it, you can dress them up stylishly once in a while. Consider adopting a chihuahua or another of these great breeds
Once you ask yourself these questions, you can decide what kind of a dog you would adopt.
Fortunately, most dogs can quickly adapt to the environment they are taken to and have a lifespan of 12-15 years, and to add more fun to it, you can dress them up stylishly once in a while. Some of the best dog breeds are:
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel
- Bichon Frise
- Yorkshire Terrier
As a senior, you may want to avoid dogs that require too much attention. While a puppy can be an adorable new family member, the time and energy it takes to train them may prove overwhelming. Many older dogs get overlooked at shelters because they have less energy, but this might be the perfect opportunity for seniors. You can give the dog a few more happy years without going through the training process.
2. Cats
After dogs, cats are the next pet that comes to mind. They are an excellent choice, especially for seniors who need low-maintenance pets and also for those with minimal home space for pets.
Additionally, please remember that kitties tend to ruin furniture with their claws, so please keep that in mind. The astonishing thing about cats is that they have a more extensive lifespan than dogs, as they can live for 13-18 years. Some of the best cat breeds are:
- British Shorthair
- Ragdoll Birman
3. Birds
Not many people in the world have birds as pets. If you're lucky to ever come across them, know that they love being around people and have influential personalities and opinions. At least with birds, you will enjoy some sweet melodies, and you can also enjoy them fluttering around the house as you relax in your home.
Another standard option would be to cage them and watch them flit around the coop. Birds are a lower maintenance option as you only need to feed them and change the litter paper in their cages. Some of the best bird breeds are:
- Canaries
- Parakeets
- Zebra Finches
4. Fish
Fish are beautiful creatures that you can watch from the comfort of your home. They also will give you that exquisite sense of relaxation, and they reduce stress levels as you watch them. It makes sense why you will find them in the waiting bay of hospitals or offices.
The only difference when deciding to adopt fish is that you will incur some installation costs. You may not have to worry about toys for your fish, but you will have to care for their tanks and make sure they have clean water to swim in. Also, ensure that you research the type of fish that can co-exist once confined in that tiny aquarium. Some of the best fish breeds are:
- Goldfish
- Angelfish
- Guppies
5. Rabbits
Rabbits are another sweet and cuddly pet that you will enjoy having around. The best thing about them is that they are not noisy, and they enjoy staying indoors, but once in a while, they can enjoy some outdoor playtime as long as you’re in a well-fenced compound.
They may not be a common pet to adopt like the rest of those listed here, but if you consider them, you’ll be amazed at how good they are at offering companionship. Also, it’s good to note that their maintenance costs are almost similar to that of a cat, and you will only need to train them on how to use their litter box, and you’ll be good to go. Some of the best rabbits are:
- Mini Lop
- Lionhead Rabbit
- Rex Rabbit
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