As we age, our children grow along with us and will eventually start to drift apart as they are caught up with their own work and family. If you are thinking of getting a pet for companionship but are unsure which animal best suits your lifestyle, here are several pets for older adults that you can consider to provide you with the company and friendship that you are seeking.

Dogs

There are many considerations that you need to bear in mind before bringing a dog into your home. Many older adults like the idea of having a dog especially if they used to own one back in the day. The questions to ask yourself when you are thinking of housing a new dog in your home are as follows:

How physically active are you? Will you be able to walk the dog and take it to parks for some exercise every day? Or would you feel more comfortable with a type of canine that simply loves to cuddle and stay in your lap most of the time?
Do you live by yourself and hence will be caring for the dog alone? Will you be able to perform feeding, food shopping, grooming, and watering all on your own? Are you financially stable to sustain all these activities?
What kind of space do you live in? If you are aging in place, do you have enough space for the breed that you are looking at? If you are aging in a senior living community, is it a pet-friendly community?

Once you have spent some time finding the answers to these questions, you may then decide that a smaller breed of dog is a better option. Smaller breeds of dogs like the French Bulldog, Welsh Corgi, and the Chihuahua are all relatively low-maintenance breeds. There are also other great options but they require higher maintenance and they include the Miniature Poodle, the Shih Tzu, or the Highland White Terrier. Many of these breeds are highly suitable to live with an older adult.

Cats

Cats and be great companions for both individuals and couples who are not looking for a pet that is as physically demanding as a dog. Cats need much lower daily maintenance and minimal setup in your place of residence. Questions that you need to ask yourself when considering a cat in your home are as follows:

Are you or anyone at home allergic to cats? All cats or only specific breeds of cats?
Will cats with front claws bother you when they scratch your furniture?
How much grooming are you willing to commit? Short-haired cats require lesser grooming and less frequent brushing.
Are you financially stable to support the needs of the cat? You need to buy them food, kitty litter, and grooming materials.
Is there an area around your home to place kitty litter?

Many older adults decide that short-haired cat breeds best suit their homes as they require lower maintenance, thus saving time and effort on cleaning up. The American Shorthair is one of the most popular breeds and they are available in a variety of attractive colors. Russian Blue cats are more intelligent and well-mannered, albeit a little lazy.