Where To Find Pet Care Assistance For Seniors

The challenges of owning pets for the elderly

There are numerous, well-documented benefits to owning pets for seniors but caring for a dog or cat can become harder with age due to physical and financial constraints. Many retirees live off a fixed, limited income with little space for an additional pet budget. In fact, research shows that about 4.9 million adults aged 65 and older live in poverty, and 63% report having at least two chronic health conditions that generally increase the cost of living.

It can be challenging for seniors to afford pets’ food, vaccinations, and veterinary care while ensuring they keep food on the table for themselves in these circumstances. When you tally up all expenses, the first year of owning a dog can cost up to $2,000, or $1,174 for cats. These estimates assume the pet will not have an unexpected health condition or a medical emergency, which can quickly add thousands of dollars to the overall cost of pet ownership. Without pet insurance, the owner would be solely responsible for these bills out-of-pocket, along with the cost of any follow-up care their pet requires.

Some examples might include the ongoing management of a cat’s chronic arthritis or a dog accidentally getting into a senior’s tramadol prescription. There are countless ways for pets to become sick or injured, but none are easy to predict. As a result, pet owners of all ages often find themselves financially underprepared in the event of an expensive incident, causing them to search for ways to afford their beloved companion’s cost of care without jeopardizing their financial security and livelihood.

In addition to finding affordable pet care and veterinary treatment, senior pet owners may face other financial burdens — even if their animals are perfectly healthy. For instance, those with mobility issues may need a dog walker to exercise their pet or a housekeeper to assist with the litter box. Since health insurance doesn’t cover service animals, seniors with disabilities may have a hard time paying the required cost to train an ESA or PSA dog. Pet sitters may be another necessary consideration during overnight hospitalizations.