Recently, while researching what kind of companion pet would be best for my wife and me, I discovered that the list of potential pets for seniors was much longer than I expected.
The answer to the question “what pets are best for seniors?” varies greatly by senior. For example, what do you need, what can you afford, and what do you have the space are all questions you need to answer before you jump off into the brave new world of pet ownership. Know this, however: the list is not limited to just the traditional dogs and cats.
Here is our look at the top 10 pets for seniors, from our point of view, and what is required of each:
Not making our final cut: turtles and ferrets. The verdict was that turtles are boring and ferrets can be mean. If it was solely up to me, snakes wouldn’t be on the list either and this would be a Top 9 list.
How pets influence your health
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., seniors with pets have:
- Less risk of depression and loneliness
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Reduced stress
- Better chance of meeting people.
- Better chance of long-term survival after a heart attack.
- Fewer allergies.
Click here to read more about Dr. Weil’s comments.
What to consider when getting a pet
Many considerations go into acquiring (or being acquired by) a pet. We look at the following criteria for each of the pets:
- Cost: How much does the pet cost to buy and how much does it cost to keep?
- Food: What will your pet eat, how often will it eat, and how much will it cost?
- Space: How much space will your pet need, or, in the case of a cat, how much of the space will it let you use?
- Poop: It’s a dirty subject, I know, but until your pet is potty trained, you are going to have to clean up after it. For example, cats are remarkably fastidious but somebody has to scoop the litter box!
- Health ( both yours and your pets): Some pets are more labor-intensive and energy demanding than others. It is a big factor for you to consider before you jump into “pet-hood.” Health care for some types of pets is far more expensive than other types. The price of vets can be quite expensive. Make sure you take the dual nature of health into account as you are considering what pet will be best for you.
- Care / Grooming: Not all pets are maintenance-free but a snake requires far less grooming than most dogs. How much and what kind of grooming your pet will require are other important considerations.
- Companionship: The companionship value of pets is dramatic for the pets on this list. There is no way to compare a snake to a puppy. A puppy will love you forever; a snake is barely aware of your existence. Some people say that cats fit in the same category. And for most seniors, isn’t this the more important category of all?
Top 10 pets for seniors
Following is my list of the Top 10 Pets for Seniors. It does contain some internal bias. My wife and editor is a cat person. (Editorial: The quintessential cat lady, thank you very much!)
Cats
Cats
Cats top our list. Cats are relatively inexpensive, easy to care for, and don’t take up much space. They are independent creatures, though. Some are cuddly lap cats and some are regal and full of disdain for their human. You just take your chances.
| Cost | Your first year of cat ownership is going to cost around $400 depending on the age of the cat, the breed, and even your lifestyle. After the first year, your cat will cost you about $350 according to Pet Finder. |
| Food | According to Purina, some protein-rich foods cats like to eat are Salmon, Trout, Herring, Mackerel, Tuna, Whitefish, Chicken, Turkey, Pheasant, and Beef. My experience with our cats over the years is that they can be very finicky when it comes to the food they prefer. Always buy a small amount to make sure your cat will eat a particular food before you start buying it in larger quantities. Don’t scrimp on your cat’s food, however. Cheap food may result in kidney issues and other health problems. Feed your cat the best food you can afford. |
| Space | Cats need a minimum of 18 square feet of living space. Two cats will need twice that amount. Remember that cats like to climb and hide. Your home layout is more important than the actual space. |
| Poop | Cats poop and pee. Sorry! It has to be said. The nice thing is that they are neat about it, and they come from the factory virtually box trained. Litter boxes alone pushed cats to the top of our list. You never have to take them for walks either. That’s a win-win. Don’t scrimp on cat litter. Get the dustless kind. Your lungs will thank you. |
| Health | Since cats are relatively carefree, your personal health need not be a limiting factor. Cats don’t require walking, so your mobility or lack thereof is not an issue. Most cats can facilitate movement through a home without the assistance of their human, so lifting your pet is not often necessary. Indoor cats can almost never share their illnesses with their humans. Uness you are severely immuno-compromised, you needn’t fear “catching” anything from your kitty. Kittens tend to be the healthiest. Certain breeds can exhibit genetic conditions that may or may not require expensive care. If you should choose to adopt a “senior” cat (an animal that is more than 7 years old), you might inherit health issues inherent to an aging cat. At the very least, you must inoculate your new pet against feline distemper, feline leukemia, and rabies. |
| Care / Grooming | It has been said that a clean cat is a happy cat. How your cat grooms itself can be an overall gauge of your cat’s health. ASPCA has a nice primer on cat grooming. It can help you get started with your new cat. |
| Companionship | It depends on the breed and how you define companionship. Some breeds make better lap cats than others. |
Dogs
Dogs
Dogs come in second for us, mostly because you have to take them for walks. They are probably the most loyal and most responsive pets on our top 10 list.
| Cost | How much does a dog cost? The Happy Puppy Team reported last year that the lifetime cost of owning a dog is between $10,000 and $15,000. |
| Food | As with felines, dogs are naturally carnivorous. This means that animal proteins are vital for the health and well-being of your dog. Some dogs will eat table scraps, but the majority of their diet should consist of nourishing dog food rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals required for a healthy coat and a strong body. Whether this is a commercial dog food or one that you concoct yourself doesn’t matter. Just make certain to feed your dog the best dog food that you can afford. |
| Space | Dogs require considerably more space than cats due to their need for exercise. The larger the dog, the more space they will require. So if you’re considering one of the larger breeds, make certain that they have room for running and playing. Your dog will thank you, and so will your furniture and nick-knacks. |
| Poop | Dogs have to be walked for toileting purposes, unless you want to spend money on puppy pads that attract dogs to specific indoor spots for toileting. You should never walk away from your dog’s poop, however. You wouldn’t leave an infant’s dirty diaper lying on the ground. Be a responsible dog owner and clean up after him. |
| Health | No matter what size dog you acquire, you will have to walk them two times a day, at least. Some dogs require more exercise and opportunities to “use the facilities” (the grass). Are you physically up to the task? If you are, the walks will do you good, too. |
| Care / Grooming | How often your dog will need to be groomed will vary by size and breed, but plan on grooming your dog every four to eight weeks. Will you groom the dog yourself or will you pay a groomer? Grooming can be expensive. Click here for more information about groom your dog. |
| Companionship | Dogs probably top the list when it comes to companionship. For the most part, dogs are warm, loving, and attentive. Those are very important attributes for a senior, especially a senior living alone. |
Birds
Birds
Birds soar to third on our list. They score this high because of their limited cost and ease of care.
| Cost | It can cost anywhere from $20 to more than $5,000 for a pet bird depending on the species. According to The Spruce Pets, a parakeet will probably cost $295 for the first year with an annual cost of about $185. |
| Food | The expression “eat like a bird” may have some validity. But the array of bird feed available at your local pet store may be confusing. A key element of your bird’s diet needs to be variety. Most experts recommend feeding birds a raw diet versus a cooked diet. Learn more here at PetMD. |
| Space | Space is a win for birds. The amount of space should be large enough for the birds to fully stretch their wings and allow for some flight, but also for your birds to hop, climb, feed, socialize, and exhibit other natural behaviors. Long-tailed species, such as parakeets, cockatiels, and macaws, will need housing that will accommodate their tails as they move around. Click here to continue reading. |
| Poop | Someone has to clean the birdcage. That probably means you. Dirty cages can be smelly and lead to health problems for your bird. How often? Somewhere between one week and four weeks depending on size. Click here to read more at PetMate. |
| Health | Your own health should not put any constraints on owning a pet bird. They don’t need to be taken for walks like dogs and that is a plus. The most strenuous part of owning a bird will be the regular cleaning of their cage. You need to keep a close eye on your bird, however. Signs of good health in a bird include bright eyes, clean and shiny feathers, good appetite, and lots of energy. If anything changes, make an appointment with an avian vet. |
| Care / Grooming | Grooming your bird includes trimming its wings and claws, filing its beak, preening your bird, and bathing your bird. Wing, claws, and beak trimming are simple procedures. Ask your avian vet to show you how if you don’t know. |
| Companionship | Some birds – like parrots, for example – make great, animated, engaging pets. As with most types of pets on our list, the breed or species makes all the difference. |
Fish
Fish
Many seniors get along swimmingly with fish. That’s why they are fourth on the list. Caring for a fish is easy and they don’t take up much room.
| Cost | Owning a fish will run from $85 to $450 a year according to Dr. John Williams writing for Pet Place. |
| Food | You might think that feeding your fish is simple. Just throw a little fish food that you bought at the pet store on top of the water every so often. It is far more complicated. Chewy.com’s Pet Central has a great primer on feeding pet fish. Click here to read it. |
| Space | According to fishtankguide.net, the most common consideration people give when determining the population of their fish tank, or whether a tank is a suitable home for a particular type of fish, is the volume of the aquarium in question. However, this is not the only concern when determining what is suitable housing for your fish. |
| Poop | Yes, fish poop. Right in the water where they live. That means you need to have a good filter system and you have to change the water and clean the tank regularly. The bigger the tank, the harder it is. Fish are low maintenance, right up until the time you need to change the water. |
| Health | Pet fish can be fragile. Aueon has a great primer on how to keep you pet fish healthy and alive. You can read it here. |
| Care / Grooming | Beyond feeding your pet fish correctly and keeping their tank clean, there is not much to worry about with fish. You don’t have to pet them; you don’t have to walk them; and, they don’t bark. Easy-peasy! |
| Companionship | Fish don’t provide much warm-blooded companionship but they can be fun to watch. If companionship is important to you, you should probably look elsewhere on this list. Fish are great pets for people with pet allergies, have been shown to produce calming effects, and to reduce stress among people who keep them. |
Rabbits
Rabbits
Rabbits hop into fifth place. They are warm and loving, but they are a bit more labor intensive than the top four on our list.
| Cost | The experts at RabbitPros.com average cost for a pet bunny is just over $300. The yearly cost of having a rabbit is about $700 including insurance and vaccinations, hay and bedding. It was a surprise to me when I discovered that number! |
| Food | What do you feed a pet rabbit? Bunnies should eat three things: Grass or hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables. You can do your homework here: PetHelpful.com. |
| Space | Rabbits are space eaters. TheRabbitHouse.com says rabbits need somewhere to eat, sleep, hide, and go to the toilet, plus room to hop, run, play, jump, and dig. To provide enough space for all this, the minimum recommended size for the living space, e.g. hutch or cage, is 12 square feet, for example, 6’x2′, with the addition of a larger area (32 sq. ft.) for exercise. This is just the minimum, though; try to give your rabbit as much space as you can. |
| Poop | Many people think rabbits are dirty animals but they don’t realize that rabbits can be litter-box trained just like cats. If you are curious, here is a link to the steps. Click here. |
| Health | A few basics will make your life with a pet rabbit more enjoyable. First of all, spay or neuter your rabbit(s) to reduce sexual frustration. Second, make sure you take your rabbit to a small-animal vet at least once a year. Third, watch your rabbit’s behavior. If it changes, take them to a vet. |
| Care / Grooming | Myhouserabbit.com is a fun site to visit if you are seriously considering a companion rabbit. There article Grooming your house rabbit will be very helpful. |
| Companionship | Rabbits do make good pets. Rabbits are loving social animals. They require human interaction. Without it, they get depressed and lonely. However, rabbits are not for everyone. They need time out of their cage and the area needs to be rabbit proofed. They will chew things, so if you don’t want something chewed, put it away when the rabbit is out. They live a long time, too. |
Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pigs
Sixth place is as high as guinea pigs rank although they are cute, warm, and friendly.
| Cost | Guinea Pigs are inexpensive, ranging from $10 to over $100. Expect annual cost to total about $200 per year. |
| Food | First off, you need to make sure you change you guinea pig’s water every day. For the most part, though, guinea pigs are easy to satisfy. Guinea pigs are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of quality hay, pellets, vegetables and a lesser quantity of fruits. |
| Space | Guinea pigs need a lot of space relatively. If space is an issue you might want to look at other pets on the list. Your guinea pigs will need about 7.5 square feet of floor space. For two guinea pigs, the minimum is 10.5 square feet but more is always better. |
| Poop | The main thing you need to remember about guinea pig poop is that you need to keep their bedding clean. Clean your guinea pigs’ enclosure a minimum of once weekly, no matter what. Guinea pigs are highly social critters and many owners keep several of them in the same cage. If this is the case for you, you might need to clean the cage a little more often. |
| Health | Guinea pigs need both human affection and entertainment to keep them healthy. You only need to provide them joy and activities. …and treats! Treats are always good for anyone or anything but they are especially important for guinea pigs. |
| Care / Grooming | Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) wrote about guinea pigs, “Guinea pigs are cuddly, full of personality, and live on average 7-9 years. Unlike many other pets, such as dogs, cats, or rabbits, guinea pigs typically need minimal grooming and are fairly simple to care for. For these reasons, guinea pigs make terrific pets for families with elementary age or older children, and for individuals who live alone. They are easy to care for pets that make wonderful companions for many years.” You can read more here. |
| Companionship | Guinea pigs make wonderful pets and you will discover that your piggy is a faithful companion. |
Hamsters
Hamsters
Don’t overlook hamsters. They are in seventh place on our list. They should probably be higher.
| Cost | Hamsters are another inexpensive pet to acquire, often costing between $10 and $20. You will need to spend between $100 and $200 for the equipment you will need to take care of your hamster. You can expect to spend between $150 and $200 a year for food and bedding according to PedPad.net. |
| Food | Feed your pet hamster a commercial hamster mix from a pet store supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. About once a week add a little protein to the mix with a bit of a hard-boiled egg. |
| Space | When it comes to hamsters, bigger is always better. Hamsters need room to run and play. Plan on a bare minimum of 24″ by 12″ by 12″. |
| Poop | Cleaning a cage can be tiresome but you can train a hamster to use a litter box. In fact, many hamsters use their litter box without prompting. |
| Health | To keep your pet hamster healthy, you need to pick the right cage, keep the cage clean, use the right bedding, feed them the right food, and help your hamster exercise. If you want to know more about keeping your hamster happy and healthy, read the Wiki-how about it. |
| Care / Grooming | If you had a pet hamster as a kid, you probably remember how loving they were and how easy their care was. That’s probably because one or the other of your parents was doing the caring. Hamsters need clean cages to keep them from getting sick with a number of conditions, including diseases that are transmittable to humans. |
| Companionship | While cats and dogs may be top of the pets, hamster owners know how special their furry little friends can be. But don’t be deceived; like any pet they take a lot of care and attention and are a big responsibility. Once you are sure you can give your little friend the love and care he deserves, however, they will steal your heart. In my research for this post, I found a great article on Metro.co.uk that outlined 18 reasons why hamsters make great pets. Read it here. |
Snakes
Snakes
People either love snakes or hate them. I fit in the latter category. They come in 8th in our evaluation. Your snake may need to be licensed. Make sure you check with local authorities before you commit to a companion snake.
| Cost | A pet snake like a ball python will cost less than $50. Total initial costs could run as high as $350 when you included the equipment you will need. Expect ongoing annual costs to run around $150. |
| Food | As a rule of thumb, feed snakes prey that is approximately as large in diameter as is the snake. You should feed young snakes about twice a week and mature snakes about once a week. Some snakes can have sensitive stomachs especially when they’re stressed. Leave them be for at least five days after they enjoy a big meal. If handled immediately after eating, they might get snappy or regurgitate their food. |
| Space | Snakes don’t need much space. Plan on between 1/2 and 3/4 square feet for each foot of your snake’s anticipated adult length. Add 25% for each additional snake. |
| Poop | As with most reptiles, the key thing when it comes to the pet pooping process is to keep their enclosure clean. Snakes are no exception. |
| Health | Pet snakes can become ill. The most common causes of sickness in snakes are stress, bad husbandry, and contact with other snakes. The easiest way to tell if your snake is sick is to watch its behavior. |
| Care / Grooming | Caring for a snake isn’t as challenging as you might think. With a sufficient diet, heat-regulated enclosure and something to coil around, your snake will love their new home. |
| Companionship | Snakes are passive pets. They are not warm and cuddly. If that is what you’re are looking for, look elsewhere. The most common words that turned up during our research when it comes to snakes are fascinating and interesting. |
Frogs
Frogs
Pet frogs hopped into 9th place on our list of top 10 pets for seniors.
| Cost | Most common frogs will run under $10 but more rare and exotic species can run over $100. |
| Food | Pet frogs feed on a wide variety of live foods including crickets, mealworms, locusts, and grasshoppers. Where you get them depends on your patience and pocketbook. |
| Space | Most frog species don’t take up much space. Make sure you ask at the pet store how big your pet frog will get and how much space it is going to need. |
| Poop | Although frogs are amphibians, not reptiles, the discussion is the same. Just keep their enclosure clean and you should be good to go. |
| Health | Frogs can live for many years; they usually do not have many health problems. Watch their environment. Keep it moist, warm, and clean and you shouldn’t have many problems. |
| Care / Grooming | Frogs are low-maintenance pets. Have you ever tried to brush a frog? However, if bugs give you the “icks,” keep looking. Frogs are not for you. Taking care of frogs means that you have to handle insects. That ends it for me right there. You might be different. You can learn why frogs make good pets here if you have the inclination. |
| Companionship | Frogs are low maintenance and easy to care for. They don’t need a lot of holding or cuddling. In fact, they would probably object! And, they may carry salmonella on their skin. Best to just watch and enjoy. |
Lizards
Lizards
Lizards round out our top 10. However, if you are like me, you didn’t get this far down the list.
| Cost | Prices for lizards can range from less than $20 to more than $600 depending on the species and gender. |
| Food | RodentPro says pet lizards typically have very different diets than their wild counterparts. Most of the commonly kept pet lizards are insectivores and will thrive on insects, but fruits, plants, and small animals are also great options for some lizards. |
| Space | A 20-gallon vertical and hexagonal tank is the minimum size requirement for housing a single long-tailed lizard; you’ll need an additional ten gallons of enclosure space for each additional lizard. |
| Poop | Lizards poop but it is hard to see. Be careful though. Lizard droppings can be toxic. Make sure you know what you are doing! |
| Health | Behavior will give you the best insight to your lizard’s health. Like many animals, lizards are fairly stoic when they’re not feeling well. One reliable sign of illness is if the animal suddenly has a poor appetite, loses weight, and seems apathetic. An owner who suspects their lizard is unwell should take it to a reptile veterinarian. |
| Care / Grooming | Taking care of a pet lizard is more complicated than you might think. Wikihow has a great article on what you need to do to take care of a pet lizard. Click here to read it. |
| Companionship | Don’t plan on much companionship from a lizard, either. They are “look but don’t touch” pets. |
I hope this helps in your search for a companion pet. I’ve included links to help your search. Websites change frequently and you might find a broken link. Please tell us in the comments below so we can keep our website current.
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