National Love Your Pet Day: The benefits of pets in retirement
At Burnham Waters, our luxury new retirement community in Burnham on Crouch, we very much welcome our residents’ four-legged friends! In fact, there is lots of evidence to suggest that there are many benefits of having pets in retirement.
From helping to reduce stress, encouraging exercise, helping you to make friends and enticing over the grandchildren, there might be more advantages to owning pets in retirement, than you realise!
With National Love Your Pet Day taking place on 20th February 2024, we thought that this was the opportune time to explore the pros (and cons) of having a pet in retirement.
So, what are the benefits of owing pets in retirement?
- Reduce stress
- Increase your physical activity
- Increase social interaction
- Increase a sense of purpose
- Great for the grandkids
The benefits of having pets in retirement:
Reduced stress
A study at Cambridge University found that owning a pet can actually improve our general health - in less than a month. In fact, the study found that pet owners actually report fewer minor illnesses such as headaches, coughs and colds.
What’s more, according to the Pet Health Council, simply stroking a pet or watching fish swim can help us relax, which reduces our stress levels, can help to reduce our heart rate and lower our blood pressure too!
Increased activity
If you have a dog, then the daily walks it requires are a great way of making sure you keep active! There is lots of evidence to suggest that taking a small amount of exercise every day, can reduce your risk of many health issues.
According to the NHS, older adults should do some type of physical activity every day because it can help to improve your health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
At Burnham Waters, our luxury retirement bungalows enjoy access to beautifully landscaped, communal green space, while our idyllic countryside location, means you are not far from riverside walks and open countryside.
So, are there any other benefits to having a pets in retirement?
Social benefits
There are lots of social benefits to having pet in retirement. Talking the dog for a walk can be a great way to get to know your neighbours and/or to meet other, likeminded people in your local area. Even if you just stop for a five-minute chat with a familiar face, this can really boost your mood and your mental health.
A sense of purpose
Having a pet, of any kind, can give you a real sense of purpose. Pet ownership typically encourages some form of daily routine with feeding, caring and potentially walking your pet, all essential activities. Knowing that you have something that is totally reliant on you can give your day a sense of purpose and satisfaction. And let’s not forget, pets also provide companionship, which can help to lessen feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Pets are great for the whole family
Having a pet is not only great for its owners it can be great for the whole family! Most grandchildren would be very excited to visit their grandparents and help to take care of a new cat or dog. This can provide an opportunity for family walks and lots of fond memories to be created, while also helping younger children to understand the responsibilities associated with having a pet.
What are the pros and cons of pet ownership?
While there are lots of advantages to getting pets in retirement, it is also important to consider the disadvantages.
The disadvantages of pets in retirement
A small pet such as a fish or a hamster is unlikely to require a huge time or a huge financial commitment. However, if you are considering a cat or a dog, there are some important things to consider:
Pets can be expensive
The initial financial outlay to purchase a dog or a cat, can be huge, and is something you will need to factor into your decision. If you are keen to reduce this cost, then you might want to consider visiting a rescue centre and adopting an older animal.
Pets will also require a lot of stuff! Food, toys and accessories can soon mount up, not to mention their food bills. You will also need to consider vet bills and whether you want to take out any pet plans, to spread the costs of any immunisations and treatments they may require in the future.
Pets can be messy
There is no escaping the fact that pets can make quite a lot of mess! If you are planning to get a puppy or a kitten, then the early days will require a lot of time commitment, and a lot of tidying up! Be prepared that things might get chewed or damaged – and carpets could get ruined! Make sure you have done your homework and you know what to expect.
Pets need attention
If you are choosing to get a pet in retirement then the chances are, you will be expecting to be at home a reasonable amount of the time and to have the time to dedicate to your new four-legged friend. However, if you like to book lots of holidays, often go away to stay with friends and/or you are out looking after grandchildren for a large part of the week, then you need to consider what you will do with your pet during these times.
Dogs in particular will need to be let out and do not enjoy spending large parts of the day on their own. Can you take them with you? Do you have friends/family close by who can help – or is there a local dog walker you can instruct? These are all important things to consider.
If you happen to live in a retirement community, like the one we are delivering at Burnham Waters, then you may be able to call on some likeminded neighbours to lend a hand, should you be going away or are due to be out for the large part of the day.
What are the best pets in retirement?
If you have debated the pros and cons of pet ownership and you have decided that you are keen to purchase a pet but you are not sure of the next steps, Age UK have some great advice. From planning ahead and identifying the best pet for your lifestyle to considering future costs, there’s lots to think about. You can take a look at the Age UK website for more advice.
If you have decided to get a dog in retirement, then you might be trying to decide between getting a puppy, or perhaps a rescue dog. Local vets, EdgeWood Veterinary Group have some useful tips and advice to consider, before making a decision.
A luxury retirement development in Burnham on Crouch
Pets are very much welcome at Burnham Waters, and as we create our new community for the over 55’s here. There will be lots of opportunities to make new friends and to meet with likeminded people.
Call our friendly sales team today on 01621 861559, or if you have any questions, you can email us at info@burnhamwaters.co.uk. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of our home page and sign up to our newsletter for all the latest news on our community.
