Last Updated: August 29, 2026
Animals may provide comfort and reduce stress, and pet ownership has been linked to improved well-being, particularly for older people.
Finding the right pets for the elderly can bring companionship, gentle exercise and daily purpose. They not only bring a sense of joy, but may also boost social interaction and reduce feelings of loneliness.
When it comes to what makes the best pet for an elderly woman or man, there isn’t a single right answer. Suitability depends on your mobility, housing situation, finances, daily care capacity and support network. Rehoming an older dog is often a good option – they usually have basic training and need moderate exercise. Many rescues happily rehome pets for old people too.
Cats are also a popular choice. They are more independent, don’t need walking and generally require less maintenance than a dog.
However, some animals will fit your lifestyle better than others. If you have mobility problems, an energetic large breed dog probably won’t be the best fit.
It is also worth remembering that we tend to jump straight to dogs and cats. Other options include smaller animals like rabbits or guinea pigs.
The benefits of pets for the elderly
Pets can benefit our mental health in many ways – helping us live more fulfilling and happier lives. From encouraging people to get more exercise to reducing anxiety, from helping you meet new people to simply providing companionship – they are a source of motivation and comfort.
A 2019 systematic review of 70 studies involving adults aged 60 and over, published in Clinical Gerontologist, found positive mental and/or physical health contributions in 52 of those studies. The most consistent physical findings involved activity levels, blood pressure and heart-rate variability. The authors note, however, that more controlled research is still needed. It is fair to say the benefits are real for many people – but not guaranteed for everyone.
A recent Dogs Trust survey found that 96% of dog owners say having a dog is good for their mental health. 82% experienced more positive interactions with strangers because of their dog. 85% believe dogs help bring people together.
Caring for an animal – feeding, exercising and generally interacting – can also add structure to your day and provide a comforting routine.
Pet ownership can also help people with specific conditions. Assistant animals or service animals are trained to help people cope with tasks in their everyday lives.
The Mental Health Foundation has a helpful article on Pets and mental health which explores these benefits in greater detail.
What are the challenges of pets for old people?
Taking on a pet is a big commitment. You have to take into account the financial requirements: possible vet fees, insurance and food. You also need to consider the time needed for exercise and what happens if you go away.
Under the Animal Welfare Act, as summarised by GOV.UK, anyone keeping a pet must provide suitable food and water, an appropriate environment, protection from illness and injury, and the ability to express normal behaviour. These are legal duties, not just good practice – worth considering carefully before taking on any animal.
If you live in rented or supported housing, it is also worth checking with your landlord before getting a pet. 2026 government guidance on social housing recommends that landlords give fair, case-by-case consideration to pet requests – but permission is not automatic.
As we age, one of the main things people worry about is what will happen to their pet should they become too ill to care for it, or if they move into care. Help is available for many of these situations, as detailed below.
What happens if pet care becomes too much? What help is available?
If you are struggling to keep up with exercise demands for your pets, you could try asking family or friends for help. If they are unable to, you could try:
- Dog walking services. Find local, reviewed dog walkers via Pawshake.
- Dog-sitting services like Borrow My Doggy.
- The Cinnamon Trust. They offer a variety of services for elderly pet owners and those facing terminal illness including (for those meeting the criteria) voluntary dog walking support and short-term fostering for those facing hospital treatment.
Can pensioners get help with vet bills?
If you are struggling to pay your vet bills, speak to your vet about your situation to see if you can work out a treatment plan. Some charities also offer help, either by providing some of the payment or by offering reduced costs through their clinics. For example, the pet charity PDSA offers low-cost treatment to pensioners living in a home in Council Tax Bands A-D. You can also get help with treatment bills if you receive benefits.
Planning for the future
You can register your pet with a charity to safeguard their future. For example, anyone of any age can make long-term provisions with The Cinnamon Trust. Age UK specifically recommends The Cinnamon Trust for dog walking, cat care, transport to vets and emergency fostering – and advises all pet owners to plan ahead for hospitalisation or a move into sheltered accommodation.
Head of Operations, Marnie Cude, explains that, ‘Future planning for your pet helps establish your intentions regarding your beloved companions’ welfare, happiness and long-term care. It also offers invaluable insight to those closest to you, ensuring that your wishes for your pet’s future are understood and respected.
‘At The Cinnamon Trust, we offer owners the option of Pet Profiling. By making arrangements for your pet with us, you ensure that your pet’s future is secure and we will always be there to look after them. This in turn gives owners peace of mind, whilst also equipping us with everything we need to know about your pet to find them a new loving home.’
Their Pet Profiling service can be used by anyone worried that there will be no one to take on their pet in the event of their death, or if they have to move into permanent nursing care.
Owning pets while in care
If you move into residential care you don’t necessarily have to rehome your pet. Some care homes are pet-friendly. ‘Pet-friendly’ is a loose term, however. It can mean anything from keeping your animals with you to having them come to visit. It also depends on the type of pet and how able you are to look after it. It varies from home to home.
The RSPCA advises that no animal should be left unattended for longer than is likely to cause suffering, and recommends that care arrangements – including emergency fostering contacts and vet details – are put in place proactively. As they put it: “Always consider what is in the best welfare interests of the animal as well as the person.” Their guidance for local authorities on pets in emergencies is a useful read if you are planning ahead.
How to find a suitable care home that allows pets
Because ‘pet-friendly’ means different things, it is best to contact potential homes directly. You can use the Care Choices search to create a shortlist of suitable homes here. Then speak to the homes directly to discuss your situation. You will likely also want to arrange a visit. Alternatively, The Cinnamon Trust holds a register of pet-friendly homes which you can request online.
Pet Therapy
Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy or AAT, involves trained animals to promote physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. The goal is to enhance quality of life.
Pets – and animals generally – have such a positive impact on the elderly that many care homes now have ‘therapy pets’ or visiting animals for residents to interact with. A 2023 systematic review in BMC Geriatrics – covering 34 studies in care homes – found a statistically significant reduction in anxiety among residents who interacted with animals. As the authors put it, “facilitating residents to interact with animals as part of person-centred care may also help residents to feel at home.” The evidence for other outcomes such as depression or quality of life was less clear-cut, so it is worth seeing animal interaction as one useful element of care rather than a cure-all.
Benefits of animal therapy include:
- Mental stimulation.
- Decrease in anxiety.
- Reduced feelings of loneliness.
- Lower blood pressure.
- Triggering the release of endorphins (feel-good chemicals) that boost mood.
- Improved motor skills.
Is having a pet right for me?
Pets offer many benefits. For older people in particular, the companionship and purpose they provide can make a real difference to mental health.
Ultimately, owning a pet isn’t for everyone. Some people may not be in a position to take on an animal due to financial or physical constraints. In these situations, there are innovative befriending and visiting schemes. These allow older people to enjoy animal interaction without the full responsibility of pet ownership – a useful middle ground worth exploring.
Where to get extra help with pets for the elderly – Useful contacts
The Cinnamon Trust
The Cinnamon Trust’s main objective is “to respect and preserve the treasured relationship between owners and their pets”. It has a national network of volunteers who give practical help like dog walking and fostering. They also help with rehoming after you pass away via their pet profiling scheme. Averil Jarvis MBE, the charity’s founder, explains: “We ask pet owners to fill out a form giving details of their pet, so that we can quickly organise suitable foster care in the event of emergency.”
Oldies Club
If you are looking to adopt an older dog, the Oldies Club might be able to help. Another volunteer-led charity, they work with animal rescues to raise awareness of the plight of their oldies – older dogs – looking for homes. They rescue and rehome Oldies Club dogs through their own network of foster homes, and list older dogs from many UK rescues.
Pet Samaritans
A Derbyshire-based animal sanctuary and wildlife rescue, the Pet Samaritans provide emergency pet rescue across the UK for owners with terminal illnesses or bereavements where pets have been left without support. You can find out about their Lifetime Pet Care program by calling or writing to them. They also offer a pet bereavement helpline to provide support to those navigating the grief of losing a pet.
Care Dogs
Care Dogs is a South London-based befriending charity that pairs up dog owners with older people to connect over a walk, increasing both general well-being and physical activity.
Wag & Company North East
The only visiting dog charity befriending older dog lovers in their own homes as well as in care or in hospitals, Wag & Company match and enable professionally assessed volunteers and their special dogs (Visiting Wag Teams) to safely befriend elderly dog lovers across the North East.
Give a Dog a Bone… and an animal a home
This charity helps the over-60s to afford a rescue pet companion – tackling loneliness for older adults through animal companionship and friendship. If you are eligible, they can provide financial support to help you adopt a rescue companion animal. They also offer help to those who already have an animal but are struggling to afford them.
Keep Your Pet
Keep Your Pet is a service provided by Age UK (York). Volunteers provide assistance for older or vulnerable domestic pet owners at times of ill-health or other emergencies. This includes dog walking, visiting to feed an animal, taking an animal to the vet and short-term fostering.
A number of pet charities also offer Guardian programmes, so that if anything should happen to you, your pet will be taken care of and rehomed. Examples include Cats Protection, Blue Cross Pet Peace of Mind, and Dogs Trust.
Pet bereavement services
Losing a pet can be like losing a family member. Many charities now provide services to support people suffering grief or bereavement for a pet:
Common Questions About Pets in Later Life
What is the best pet for an elderly woman or man?
There is no single best animal for everyone. A mature rescue dog or calm adult cat can often be ideal. Suitability depends on your mobility, housing, and budget rather than age alone. The most important factor is matching the animal’s temperament to your daily lifestyle. You can read more on finding the right match from the RSPCA.
Are cats good pets for old people?
Yes, cats are a very popular choice as they do not need walking. They are generally more independent than dogs but still require daily feeding, litter care, and attention. An older rescue cat is often a safer match than an energetic kitten to help prevent trips and falls.
Do pets for the elderly really improve health?
Caring for an animal can offer companionship, lower stress, and provide a comforting routine. Studies show that walking a dog can increase physical activity and encourage social contact. However, pet ownership is not a guaranteed cure for health issues and must always be carefully planned.
What happens to my pet if I go into a care home?
Many care homes have pet-friendly policies, but these vary greatly from allowing personal pets to only having visiting animals. It is vital to discuss your animal’s welfare with the home directly. Charities like The Cinnamon Trust offer a Pet Profiling service to ensure your pet is cared for if you can no longer manage.
How can older adults manage the cost and care of a pet?
Budgeting for food, equipment, and insurance is very important. However, help is available if unexpected costs arise. Eligible owners can access low-cost veterinary treatment through charities like the PDSA. You can also read more about practical support for elderly pet owners if you need extra assistance with daily care or dog walking.
