Benefits of Pet Ownership

For Senior Citizens

10 benefits Seniors receive from owning pets:

Pets provide their owners with love, friendship, and affection. Recent research has shown, though, that pets do much more. Owning a pet can significantly improve your physical and mental health.1. CompanionshipLoneliness can be a major issue for elderly people, especially for people who are socially isolated. Owning a dog, cat, or other animal can reduce loneliness among people who might otherwise feel alone.

2. ExercisePets need to be walked or played with often, and this can increase the amount of daily exercise elderly pet owners receive. Studies have shown that older people with pets had much higher levels of physical activity than non-pet owners.3. Social InteractionAnimals are natural people magnets, and having a dog or cat can increase social opportunities for older people. People love to talk about their pets, which often leads to new friendships.

4. Stress ReductionPet owners have significantly lower levels of stress than people who don’t own a dog, cat, or other animal. The unconditional love and affection pets offer can help elderly people get through tough times more easily.5. Better Mental HealthThose who study depression in elderly people report that pet ownership correlates positively with lower levels of depression. Touching or interacting with a pet raises the level of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which can increase feelings of well-being in pet owners.

6. Lower Blood PressurePets can also help increase the physical health of their owners. Studies done at New York medical schools have shown that pet owners experienced less hypertension on average than people without a pet.7. Lower Cholesterol LevelsMedical research has also shown that pet owners, particularly elderly ones, have lower cholesterol levels than people who do not own pets.

8. ResilienceStudies have shown that pet owners of any age both have higher levels of immunity to disease and recover from major illness or surgery faster than non-pet owners.9. Mental StimulationPlaying with, talking to or just cuddling with a pet has been shown to increase brain activity in elderly people, which helps ward off or lessen the effects of many mental disorders.

10. Better Sense of Well-BeingThe feeling of responsibility many elderly people have towards their pets, as well as the everyday companionship they provide, has been reported to make people feel more hopeful about their lives and future.

Best Pet Choices for SeniorsDr. Kraus’ recommendations:

• Shorthair cats• Miniature Schnauzer• West Highland White• Shih Tzu• Miniature Poodle• Spaniels• Boxer

• Beagle• Dachshund• Italian Greyhound• Chihuahua• Cavalier King Charles

Spaniel• Maltese• Pomeranian

Pet care

You’ve picked out the perfect pet! Now, what is needed to care for your new friend?• Proper Nutrition• Yearly Exams• Dental Health• Parasite control• Vaccinations• Grooming• Boarding

Proper Nutrition

Always feed the highest quality of pet food you can afford

High quality food has been proven to help pets live longer than poor quality food

Skin and coat will be in better condition

Yearly Exams

A yearly Preventative Care Exam is the most important component to maintaining your pet’s good health. Pets hide their diseases. We work for your pet to communicate their health problems verbally to you. The following important items will be addressed. We will then tailor a customized treatment plan to help restore your pet to excellent health.

Dental Health

Pets have to maintain dental health, just like we do!• Providing a healthy mouth for your pet involves some routine

maintanence.• Think of it like maintaining your vehicle. You don’t have to change

the oil regularly; but if you don’t, permanent damage will result eventually.

• Infections of the mouth can create damage to other organs and will shorten your pet’s life.

• Teeth, once diseased to the point of extraction, can never be replaced.

• Pets have evolved to mask pain so symptoms are never obvious. The only way to improve the pain is to treat the infection.

Parasite Control

• Intestinal Parasite testing– subpoints

• Flea/Tick control– subpoints

• Heartworm prevention– subpoints

Vaccinations

• Rabies• DHLPP• Bordatella• CRPC• Feline Leukemia

Grooming

Certain breeds of dogs need grooming to (list benefits here) They should begin grooming at 3-6 months of age.Some things that might be included in your grooming visit are a nail trim, ear cleaning/plucking, clip, bath, anal expression, dry, comb out.

Boarding

When you need to be away from your pet, be sure to make arrangements for them to stay in a clean, secure, safe environment. • Clean, disinfected kennels• Plenty of room for your size of pet• Interaction/exercise• Protection from contracting diseases/parasites from other

petsWe offer boarding services which enables your pet to interact with trained medical staff while you’re away and get proper medical care if needed.