A beloved pet offers companionship, affection, and a sense of purpose and routine to your days. But they can also be a big commitment, so it’s important to carefully consider whether a pet fits your current lifestyle.
You may wonder whether you have the time and energy for daily walks, how you would manage pet care while traveling, or what would happen if you became sick. Those are important questions, but they don’t automatically mean a pet is out of reach.
The best pets for seniors are those whose care needs match your home, health, activity level, and budget. For some people, that may be a calm adult dog. For others, it may be an independent cat, a fish, or another lower-maintenance companion.
In this guide, we’ll help you compare your options, explore the best dog breeds for seniors, and decide whether a pet could be a good fit for this chapter of your life.
Can seniors have pets?
Absolutely! Retired adults are among the most loving, capable pet owners. That said, it helps to think honestly about the level of responsibility before bringing an animal home.
Dogs need regular bathroom breaks, walks, feeding, grooming, veterinary care, and attention. Cats are usually more independent, but they still require litter-box cleaning, love, and ongoing care. Any pet can make spontaneous travel more difficult, and veterinary expenses can be expensive and unpredictable.
You should also consider:
- Whether the pet could pull you or get underfoot, causing a serious fall
- How much lifting or bending its care requires
- Who would help your pet if you became ill
- Whether your housing has pet restrictions
- How much grooming and exercise the pet needs
- Whether you can afford their food, supplies, and veterinary care
- Who would care for the pet during trips or appointments
At first glance, this can seem overwhelming, but these concerns don’t necessarily mean you should give up on having a pet. Services like GoGo Dog Walking and Pet Sitting can help with daily walks, exercise, feeding, and care while you’re traveling, attending appointments, or recovering from an illness. With reliable support in place, you can enjoy the companionship of a pet without having to manage every responsibility alone.
Benefits of Pets for Seniors
Pets have a way of making everyday life feel brighter. Research suggests that living with a pet may support both physical and emotional well-being for older adults. Pets can encourage movement, create a consistent routine, and make it easier to feel connected and needed in daily life.
Some benefits of pet ownership for seniors include:
- Companionship: A pet can make your days feel more enjoyable and less lonely.
- Emotional comfort: Spending time with an animal may help you feel calmer during stressful or difficult periods.
- A sense of purpose: Feeding, grooming, and caring for a pet gives your day a meaningful routine and a strong reason to get up in the morning.
- Physical activity: A dog may encourage you to walk, stretch your legs, and spend more time outside.
- Social connection: Walking a dog often makes it easier to start conversations with neighbors and other pet owners.
- Enjoyment: Pets bring affection, laughter, and plenty of personality into the home.
Click here to learn more about the health benefits of pets for seniors.
What are the best pets for seniors?
The best pets for seniors are generally animals whose care needs match what you can comfortably provide in your current lifestyle.
Cats
An adult cat may be a good choice if you want an affectionate companion that doesn’t require daily outdoor walks. Cats can entertain themselves for most of the day, making them especially appealing to people who prefer a quieter routine or spend much of their day outside the home.
However, litter boxes require bending, scooping, and regular cleaning. Consider whether you can manage this comfortably or can arrange help when needed. Cats – especially outdoor cats – can also run into many health issues, and these costs add up quickly.
Dogs
A dog might be the best pet for a senior citizen who wants close companionship, outdoor and physical activity, and a consistent daily routine.
Temperament matters more than appearance. Look for a calm, friendly dog that walks politely, responds well to handling, and has an exercise level you can realistically meet. An adult or senior dog may be easier than a puppy because its size, personality, and energy level are already more apparent. We’ll discuss more about the best dog breeds for seniors below.
Birds
Some birds offer cheerful companionship in a smaller home. They don’t need outdoor walks, but they still require a good bit of cage cleaning, mental stimulation, proper nutrition, and regular interaction. However, many birds are very noisy – even at night – and can live for decades, so research the species carefully.
Fish
Fish are peaceful to watch and don’t require intensive handling, walking, or litter-box care. Still, an aquarium needs regular water changes, cleaning, and careful monitoring. And a small tank isn’t always easier because its water quality can change quickly.
Avoid choosing reptiles or amphibians simply because they appear low maintenance. The CDC advises that adults 65 and older be wary of housing reptiles and amphibians, as they’re more likely to carry germs that can cause serious illness.
What’s the most low-maintenance pet?
No pet is truly maintenance-free. The most low-maintenance choice for you is the one whose needs align with your abilities and lifestyle.
For many seniors, an adult cat is one of the more manageable companion animals because it doesn’t need daily walks or frequent bathroom trips outside. Fish may require less daily interaction, but aquarium maintenance can be more complicated than it appears. Dogs aren’t off the table, but you want to make sure you choose a breed that aligns with your life.
Before adopting any pet, ask yourself:
- Can I comfortably feed and clean up after this animal?
- How much daily exercise and attention does it need?
- Can I safely lift its carrier, food, or supplies?
- How often will it need grooming?
- Can I afford veterinary, food, and grooming care?
- Who will help when I am unavailable?
- What services will I use to help support me and my pet’s life?
You may also consider fostering before adopting. Fostering gives you companionship while helping you understand whether a certain kind of pet fits your routine.
11 Best Dog Breeds for Seniors
The best dog breeds for seniors are those that are friendly, trainable, manageable in size, and not excessively demanding. But breed alone can’t guarantee temperament or energy level. Age, training, health, and individual personality matter just as much.
A rescue organization or responsible breeder should help you find a dog whose needs match your home and activity level. Be sure to consider grooming, exercise needs, lifespan, and who could care for the dog if you became unable to do so.
A good dog for seniors in their golden years should have:
- A calm, friendly temperament
- Manageable exercise needs
- Reliable leash manners
- A size that’s easy for you to handle
- Grooming needs that fit your budget and routine
Keep in mind that “low shedding” does not necessarily mean low maintenance. Many dogs that shed less require more frequent brushing and professional grooming.
Some popular small dog breeds for seniors include:
- Bichon Frise: Small, cheerful, and affectionate. Bichons often adapt well to apartment living and need moderate daily activity. Their coat sheds minimally but requires regular brushing and professional grooming.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Affectionate, adaptable, and often happy to balance short walks with plenty of relaxation. Cavaliers can be prone to inherited health problems, so ask about health history and possible veterinary needs.
- Havanese: Small, social, and happiest when spending time with their people. Their manageable size works well in many homes, although their coat needs regular care.
- Maltese: Small, affectionate, and generally comfortable with moderate exercise. Their long coat requires regular grooming, but many owners choose a shorter, easier-to-maintain trim.
- Miniature or Toy Poodle: Intelligent, trainable, and a good fit for someone who enjoys teaching tricks or providing mental stimulation. Their coat sheds minimally but requires ongoing grooming.
- Shih Tzu: Friendly companion dogs that are often comfortable with shorter walks and indoor living. They require regular grooming and may be extremely sensitive to heat.
Although medium and large dogs can be harder to manage because they are strong and can’t be easily lifted, they can still be wonderful companions for active seniors. In many cases, a calm, well-trained adult dog is easier to live with than a small, highly energetic one. Temperament, training, and activity level matter more than size alone. Some of the best big dog breeds for seniors to consider include:
- Labrador Retriever: Friendly, affectionate, and usually eager to please. Labs can be wonderful companions for active seniors, but they’re strong leash-pullers that need plenty of daily exercise. A calm, trained adult or senior lab may be easier to manage than a puppy.
- Golden Retriever: Gentle, social, and highly people-oriented. Goldens often make affectionate companions but require a lot of regular exercise, brushing, and space to move comfortably. Their size and leash strength should also be considered, and they’re best for more active seniors.
- Cocker Spaniel: Cheerful, affectionate, and smaller than a lab or golden. Cocker Spaniels enjoy walks and playtime without typically requiring the same amount of exercise as larger sporting breeds. Their ears and coat require regular grooming, though.
- Standard Poodle: Intelligent, trainable, and affectionate. Standard Poodles may suit an active senior who wants a larger dog that sheds minimally. They still need regular exercise, mental stimulation, and professional grooming.
- Adult mixed-breed dog: A calm adult rescue can be one of the best choices because its full size, temperament, and energy level are already easier to assess. A foster-based rescue may also be able to match you with a dog that’s house-trained, quiet indoors, and comfortable walking at your pace.
What’s the best dog for a 70 year old?
There’s no single best dog for a 70 year old, because everyone has very different homes, health needs, and routines. But for many older adults, the best choice is a calm, house-trained adult dog with moderate exercise needs and good leash manners. A smaller dog may be easier to transport, but a sturdy medium-sized dog may be less likely to get underfoot or be injured accidentally.
Choose your dog breed based on your life rather than your age. Think about how active you are now, not how active you hope the dog will make you. It’s better to choose a dog whose basic needs already fit your routine rather than ending up with a dog you can’t reliably care for.
Dog Walking and Dog Sitting for Seniors
You may love the idea of having a dog but worry about daily walks, bad weather, joint pain, fatigue, or what will happen when you travel. But those concerns don’t have to prevent you from adopting the perfect buddy! With the right support, you can enjoy the companionship of a dog without having to manage every part of its care alone.
GoGo’s Dog Walking services connect you with vetted walkers who can provide regular or occasional walks for your pup. You can arrange help on days when the weather is poor, your energy is low, or a longer walk feels too difficult.
GoGo also provides Pet Sitting services for dogs, cats, and other animals. A trusted sitter can care for your pet in the familiar surroundings of your own home while you travel, attend appointments, recover from a procedure, or spend time with family. Sitters can be matched to different needs, including dogs that require medication or additional care.
Finding the Right Companion for This Chapter
A pet offers affection, routine, laughter, and companionship. But the right choice should make your life feel fuller, not leave you exhausted or worried about keeping up. Think honestly about the care you can provide, choose an animal whose personality and needs suit your routine, and arrange backup support before you need it.
With GoGo Dog Walking and Dog Sitting, daily walks or occasional travel don’t have to stand between you and the companion you want. The right pet, paired with the right support, can make your golden years even fuller. Register with GoGo here to get started with pet services.
