Senior Humans Make Awesome Pet Owners!

I've had a lot of older clients over the years, especially since I moved back to the east bay area where we have several large, vibrant, retirement communities populated by conscientious pet owners.  That's one of the attributes I love most about senior pet owners, they are conscientious to a fault. They take notes during our appointments, they always schedule their follow up before I leave that first appointment, and they ask great questions, actually listening to my answers.  It's not that younger pet owners don't listen, it's just that many of them are in such a hurry to get to "the punchline," that they miss all of the steps needed to help their pet actually get there safely.

Here's something I find really frustrating though.  Many of my senior clients had a terrible time acquiring their new pets.  Why, you might ask?  Well, because many rescue groups and shelters actually discriminate against older pet owners!  I understand that rescues and shelters don't want to place an animal that they see as too rambunctious, too powerful, etc. with a senior pet owner, but many seniors don't need those well-meaning rescue folks and shelter staff to tell them what they can and cannot handle. They've lived fulfilling lives and know their limits, trust me on that.  And if the hesitation with placing pets with seniors comes from a place of concern about their longevity, keep in mind that research supports that seniors live longer, happier, healthier lives when they have a support network, which can (and should) include pets.

I'd much rather see these rescue groups and shelters think more about what makes a good companion for a senior pet owner, looking at that specific senior in front of them applying for a pet, not what their own bias tells them a senior pet owner needs.  Better questionnaires about what specific behaviors/personalities senior pet owners are looking for, plus their experience, the home environment they'll be providing, etc. should all be a bigger part of matching a senior with a pet than just "Oh, this is an older pet owner.  They have to be paired with a senior animal."  I agree that senior pet owners often make lovely home environments for senior pets, but I know a lot of senior humans who want a pet who is more active and engaging than that feline or canine who is nearer the end of its life than the beginning or middle, particularly if they are seeking out a new pet after having just lost their most recent companion animal to old age. 

As a behaviorist, you know I'm way more interested in the behavior of animals than what they look like or how old they are per se. I like to help my senior clients find the right pet for their circumstances.  If they live in an apartment in a senior community, for example, then a German Shepherd won't be a good match, even if the senior human has had German Shepherds before.  But you know what, if what they liked about their German Shepherds was their brains, activity level, and watchdog abilities, why not go for a Havanese instead? They are smaller so better suited to apartment life; they are smart and agile, so they'll get you out for walks and trips to the park; they'll bark when people knock on your dog, so you'll feel safe; and best of all? They are incredibly social, increasing your sociability among your peers. Again, I'm just using these two breeds as an example to make my point.  Matching seniors with pets should be about more than their age.  Prior experience and current goals for that pet are huge factors to be considered more seriously!

Another pet peeve I have is the hesitancy to even place cats with seniors.  Again, why?  They are stable home environments where people are around a lot, having ample time to spend enriching those cats' lives. In fact, go ahead and place two cats with a senior so the cats have each other for company as well.  

It's interesting.  I find that breeders are often less reluctant to place a dog with a senior human than the rescues and shelters. Now, before you jump in and say well that's because breeders are in it for the money, let me just stop you right there.  First off, shelters and rescues charge a fee for their placed pets too.  Nothing is free.  Second, breeders have invested a lot of time and money in the dogs they produce so they actually do a lot to research prospective buyers, older, younger, families, whatever, and try to make a match (if they have one!) based on that. I know breeders who won't necessarily place an 8 week old puppy with a senior, but to be fair, they also don't want to place that same 8 week old puppy in a home with toddlers either!  And there are a lot of breeders who are looking to place young adult or middle aged dogs they have that they are no longer breeding or showing.  Wonderful dogs for almost any home environment, but none more so than a senior human experienced with that particular breed.

I feel like I'm going round and round here, so I'll leave you with this final thought. If you are someone working in a shelter or with a rescue group, don't discount those senior pet owners as potential adopters.  A lot of them have the time, money, and experience for a pet.  And I can tell you first hand, they invest in their pets' mental health and well-being too. 

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Older pet owners have a lot to offer the pets in their care, including an investment in quality time.