If you’re a retiree and would like to bring a new pet into your home before you have to move into an assisted living facility and can no longer have a pet, it’s vital that you take the time to pick the right pet for you.
In most situations, retirees and seniors looking for pets will be interested in different qualities for their pets than would younger people or families. So to help ensure that you’re able to find just the right pet for you, here are three tips for picking the perfect pet for retirees.
Choose A More Mature Pet
Almost regardless of the type of pet you choose to have, most retirees will find that they’re better matched with more mature pets that have a few years of life under their belts as opposed to younger pets.
Not only will the energy levels of an older pet usually be a better match for retirees, but for many pets, being older means that they have a stronger immune system. This can be beneficial for people who are looking for a more low maintenance pet, as younger pets are more likely to fall ill to common sicknesses that might be prevalent in their species. Additionally, older pets may also have been trained when they were younger, which can help them to be more well behaved for you now, too.
Pick A Species To Match Your Personality And Abilities
When you’re trying to decide what type of pet you want to get, you should look for one that’s going to match your personality and abilities you have as a pet owner. If you get a mismatch here, you might find that you and your new pet won’t have such an easy time getting along and working together in your lives.
For example, if you’re a more physically active person, you may want to choose a pet like a dog, who may have an easier time keeping up with you and help you maintain the active lifestyle you want. However, if you’re looking for more of a low-key pet, a car or a fish could be a better match for you.
Be Picky About Breed
If you do decide to go with a dog or cat as your pet when you’re in retirement, you should make sure that you choose a breed that’s going to match your needs and desires. To do this, think about what you want out of the dog or cat that you’ll adopt. It might be a pet that doesn’t require a lot of cleanup, that won’t get underfoot too much around the house, that historically doesn’t have a lot of medical issues, and more. And by looking at the breed, you can more easily make these decisions.
If you’re a retiree and are looking for the perfect pet for you, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you in doing this.
