Why seniors should have a pet

Compared to earlier years, your life has become calmer and you can enjoy your free time. But this also has disadvantages. There are lonely evenings, nothing forces you to give structure to your everyday life and all too often you feel useless. This can change if you get a pet.

Studies show that having a pet not only brightens your mood, but also improves your health. Dogs force seniors to exercise and go for long walks. This prevents and can even improve diseases based on lack of exercise. But maybe you live in the middle of a big city and you don't see any way to give a dog the exercise it needs? Or you are not good on your feet and know that you are not up to longer walks? Then consider getting a cat.

Scientific studies generally point to a positive effect of pets on human health. It is unclear whether there is a direct effect - purring a cat is said to help heal bones or lower blood pressure - or an indirect effect. The cat makes your everyday life more varied, you are needed again and you have company in every situation. In addition, the animal helps you to make new social contacts, even with younger people.

Cats have the reputation of being loners who do not socialise. In the past, experts held the view that a cat only sees humans as food suppliers, otherwise it would be completely indifferent to them. This view has been scientifically disproved in the meantime. Cats love "their" humans and build close relationships with them.

Unlike dogs, cats do not demand walks. This suggests that a cat does not help to socialise with other humans. This assumption is also wrong. Cat ownership makes it easier to initiate new relationships. This is closely related to the responsibility that comes with pet ownership. This requires you to prepare for unexpected events, which in turn brings completely new aspects into your life. This keeps you mentally fit, because you inevitably now deal with topics that were previously uninteresting to you.

Even dealing with the topic of cat ownership will keep you busy for quite some time. Still doubt that a cat can change your life? The following explanations clearly show how living together with an animal enriches your life.

Having a cat in the house always means having a living being with you that communicates with you. Unfortunately, many people still believe that cats are not capable of this. Anyone who has lived in close quarters with a cat knows otherwise. Many cats are immediately on the spot when "their human" lies down in front of the TV or comfortably reads a book. They curl up on their master or mistress and enjoy being stroked. Cats greet you when you come home. These are subjective observations, but they are backed up by a study.

Researchers at Oregon State University used the so-called Secure Base Test to test whether cats clearly have a relationship with their owners. The test was developed to assess the attachment of children to their parents. In this test, the presumed caregiver goes with the child, or in this case the cat, into an unfamiliar room that is monitored by video. The caregiver stays in the room with the cat for two minutes and then leaves for two minutes. Over 60 % of the cats became restless and started meowing when they were alone. As soon as the master or mistress was back in the room, the animals relaxed, sought the proximity of the human and curiously explored the room.

Don't worry, even the cats that didn't show any stress in the test usually have a relationship with their owner. They are just a bit braver and dare to do things on their own.

Hard to believe, but keeping a cat makes it easier to establish social contacts. Many older people are in a comparable situation. They live alone and have a small and sometimes no circle of friends. The fact is that in 2020 there were about 15.7 million cats living in German households. Once you are a cat owner, you have something in common with countless people of all ages who come from different social classes. Often it is enough to make a remark about your cat at the checkout in the supermarket to start a conversation with other people. Cat owners usually like to talk about their animals.

Another thing they have in common is the fact that their cat needs care when they are on holiday or sick. You solve this problem in the same way as other cat owners. You build up a network of people who are willing to take care of each other's cats. You can find like-minded people in cat forums and various associations that take care of cats.

There is also a place in your neighbourhood where you always meet pet owners. This is the vet's waiting room. Even healthy cats need to see the doctor for vaccinations. If you don't see a cat owner there, ask the doctor if you can put a wanted ad in the waiting room. Most vets allow this. You will be surprised how quickly you will build up your own circle of friends as a result of your cat ownership.

You have some life experience and know that a lot can happen in life. You realise that keeping animals always means responsibility. It is good for you to take responsibility again.

Maybe you are afraid that you will not be able to cope financially. After all, even a cat that lives exclusively in the flat can cause considerable damage. It's good if insurance covers the damage. However, it depends on whether it was a one-time event, for example your cat knocked over a cleaning bucket, or a recurring event, such as scratching the wall.

If the leaking water ruins an expensive floor, this is a classic case of damage that is covered by private liability insurance. Damage caused by cats is automatically included in the policies. The situation is different with a scratched wall or door. Damage caused by a recurring event must be repaired at your own expense. But you can prevent this. For example, install suitable scratching facilities. By the way, this is a topic you can always talk about with cat owners.

The illness of a cat is also a financial burden that you have to face. This is another issue that is new to your life, the financial security of a vet bill. Since a few years there are health insurances for animals. So-called surgery insurances are very cheap. These only cover the costs of operations. A comprehensive health insurance costs a little more, but offers complete protection against illness-related costs.

You may think that keeping cats in your home is not possible because you live in the middle of a city. This is certainly not an environment for a free-roaming cat, but it is possible to keep your cat indoors.

You need a rather calm pedigree cat (see our articles "Cat breeds for seniors" and "Keeping cats indoors") or a normal house cat that was born in the security of a family and spent the first weeks of its life there. A farm cat that lives in a barn, or even a stray, will never be content to be kept indoors only. You can also consider older cats that have lived exclusively in a flat. You can also find many cats in animal shelters that are suitable for you.

If you only want to keep one cat in a flat, you should choose two cats, because they communicate with each other. If you only want one cat, look for cats that are only suitable as single cats due to health problems or their previous behaviour. Sometimes a cat is given away because it doesn't get along with the owner's other cats. There are also cats like this in almost all animal shelters.

Of course, the flat should be suitable for keeping cats and you must be willing to share it with the cat.
Ideally, the following is given:

• The flat has a secured balcony where the animals can go.
• There are at least 2 rooms which are accessible for the animals.
• The flat has a size of at least 50 square metres, in case of two cats 60 square metres.
• You are prepared to put up a scratching post and at least 2 litter trays.
• The cats are allowed to romp around in the flat and also on your furniture.

Every pet ownership means responsibility. Many cats end up in an animal shelter because the future cat parents have acquired a pet too carelessly.

• It starts with the purchase, because cats cost money and unfortunately there are dubious sellers who sell a sick animal for a high price. Therefore, only buy pedigree kittens from breeders who are members of a breeding association and who provide you with the appropriate papers. The cats must be vaccinated, chipped and dewormed.
• Look at the sellers of older animals. If someone wants to sell you a cat who is not interested in how it will live with you, be sceptical. If you love your pet, ask what it can expect in its new home. Many a gullible buyer has found out at the first vet visit that the cat was stolen from another owner and he bought the animal from a thief.
• Also ask yourself if you can afford a pet. Pet health insurance (voluntary!) and food will cost you about 50 euros a month per cat. Can you spare that amount?
• A cat is not only a joy. Until it has settled in, it can be stressful. Some animals have problems using the litter box at first. You can also expect damage to your furniture.
• If you are renting, it is not certain whether you are allowed to keep a cat. There are no legal concerns if keeping animals or small animals is explicitly allowed in the tenancy agreement. However, most leases contain clauses that the landlord must agree to the keeping of a cat. Obtain this consent before you buy a cat.

A cat will enrich your life and help keep you mentally and physically fit. Researchers believe that the purring of animals relieves stress in humans. The petting is even said to release happiness hormones that help overcome psychological problems more easily. Together, this causes a drop in blood pressure in many people. Loosely based on Loriot, "Life without a cat is possible, but pointless." Your life may not be meaningless without a cat, but it is more fulfilling and exciting with an animal by your side.