{"id":5146,"date":"2015-05-26T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-05-26T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=5146"},"modified":"2015-05-22T13:23:37","modified_gmt":"2015-05-22T18:23:37","slug":"best-pets-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web-sa-blog.prod.aplaceformom.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/best-pets-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Pets for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Best Pets for Seniors\"Best<\/h1>\n

Pets offer humans big benefits<\/a><\/strong> as we age – friendship, exercise, and the delight that comes from caring for another living thing. Of course, the kinds of lizards and snakes you brought home as a kid probably aren\u2019t ideal now, and you may not have the energy to keep up with a border collie or Jack Russell terrier. What are some good options for mellow pets? Pet and aging experts recommend these companion critters.<\/p>\n

Companion cats<\/h2>\n

Seeking a friend who doesn\u2019t need a daily walk or constant attention? Consider a cat. Cats can do well indoors and they don\u2019t bark, making it easy to keep the peace with neighbors. Daily playtime is a must \u2014 simply dangling a toy or a feather on a string can entertain your cat (and you) while keeping his \u201cpredator\u201d skills sharp. Recommended breeds include the Persian, British Shorthair, and Ragdoll.<\/p>\n

Devoted dogs<\/h2>\n

Dogs are great for people who enjoy daily walks<\/a><\/strong>, playtime and training sessions. Poodles, corgis, French bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers and Scottish terriers are examples of good breeds for seniors, but ultimately the choice depends on your connection with a particular dog. That said, people who\u2019ve always had big dogs may want to choose a mid-sized breed that can comfortably relax in your lap. Teacup pup aficionados may want to scale up to a slightly bigger breed to reduce the risk of tripping over an unseen pet.<\/p>\n

Relaxing (and rambunctious) rabbits<\/h2>\n

Rabbits don\u2019t bark, prefer to use a litter box, and (usually) enjoy a good snuggle. Like cats, rabbits can thrive indoors with daily exercise and playtime, although outside exercise time in a protected area is ideal. Some rabbits act like cats and want attention only on their terms; others, especially long-haired angora rabbits, are content to hop into your lap and watch TV with you while you brush their coat.<\/p>\n

Beautiful birds<\/h2>\n

Parakeets are a colorful option for people who enjoy a little song and dance in their day, and they do well in pairs. These miniature parrots are excellent fliers, which can be delightful if you don\u2019t mind them perching on your ceiling fan. If you prefer to keep them out of the rafters, have their flight feathers trimmed and provide a large cage. Compared to full-size parrots, parakeets are quieter, easier to clean up after, less prone to bite, and have shorter lifespans of about 7-10 years (as opposed to 50-70 for a grey parrot).<\/p>\n

Fabulous fish<\/h2>\n

A small freshwater aquarium is easy to set up, and with a good filter and the right water chemistry balance it\u2019s easy to maintain as well. Fish are the ultimate easy-care pet, and their colors and movement are calming to watch. Deck out your tank with hiding places and faux plants to create interest for your fish, and choose compatible species so you\u2019ll have a peaceful underwater kingdom. Daily feeding, weekly water testing, and monthly gravel vacuuming are the main responsibilities of fish owners.<\/p>\n

Consider a senior pet, too<\/h2>\n

Older adults are almost always better off with a pet that\u2019s past the baby stage. Puppies, kittens, rabbit kits, and hatchling birds all have intense care needs and can be energetic enough to exhaust even the fittest caretaker. Many shelters offer older pets for adoption at a discount<\/a><\/strong>, which means you\u2019ll have more money for pet food and toys. Treat yourself to a pet that\u2019s older and calmer and the two of you can enjoy life together at a relaxing pace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Best Pets for Seniors Pets offer humans big benefits as we age – friendship, exercise, and the delight that comes from caring for another living thing. Of course, the kinds of lizards and snakes you brought home as a kid probably aren\u2019t ideal now, and you may not have the energy to keep up with a border collie or Jack […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2198,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,242],"tags":[368,243],"class_list":{"0":"post-5146","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-families-caregivers","7":"category-pet-friendly-senior-living","8":"tag-national-pet-month","9":"tag-pet-friendly"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBest Pets for Seniors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pets offer humans big benefits as we age. What are some good options for mellow pets? 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