Article on Pets and Aging

ST. LOUIS, Sept 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Could man's best friend help you improve your memory, lose weight and stave off depression when you enter your senior years? According to a national Purina Senior PetLover survey* of 514 pet-owning Americans, ages 60 and older:
-- 66 percent said their pet keeps their mind active and their memory sharp. -- Almost half of those surveyed (45 percent) said that after adopting a pet they started spending more time doing physical activities like walking and 26 percent of the women said they lost weight. -- 84 percent of those surveyed stated owning a pet makes them feel happier.
"Research showing the physical benefits of pet ownership for seniors, which includes lower systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels (1), has been well-documented over the years. However, seniors also benefit emotionally from pet ownership, which might not be as easily seen on the outside, but can greatly impact their quality of life and enable them to feel their best," says Steve Cohn, DVM, a Purina Pets For Seniors veterinarian.
A Healthy Dose of Pets Gets Seniors UP and GOING
Although constant companionship is the best aspect of owning a dog or cat according to 88 percent, seniors also see other benefits of pet ownership that include a positive outlook on life and a renewed interest in being active. In fact, 69 percent of senior pet owners said their pet makes them look forward to each new day and that's the same positive attitude that contributes to a more active lifestyle. Pet ownership provides a powerful incentive for seniors to get moving because they know it's good for their health, and it's another way to interact with their pet. For example, seniors acknowledge their pet is their companion, but 55 percent of those surveyed said they also see their pet as their playmate, and so the simple act of playing leads to more vibrant seniors. Even more, 71 percent of the women said their pet keeps them energized, which is a great reason for people of all ages to consider adopting a pet.
Purina Senior PetLover Adoption Month
In order to communicate the life-enriching benefits of pet ownership among senior citizens, and to help homeless pets find loving homes, Purina is establishing October as Purina(R) Senior PetLover Adoption month. During this time, animal shelters nationwide will be encouraging seniors to adopt pets by hosting Purina Senior PetLover Adoption events in their local areas. At each event, shelters will try to pair seniors with adoptable pets in the hopes of ultimately finding a forever home for the pet and a perfect companion for the senior. Plus, for qualifying seniors age 60 years or older, Purina and Tony La Russa's Senior Adoption Program will underwrite most of the adoption fee to make it financially easier for them to adopt.
"We know that thousands of dogs and cats need good homes, so it is a win-win situation when bringing a pet into the home improves the quality of life for both the pet and owner," says Dr. Cohn. "By rallying together with local shelters during Purina Senior PetLover Adoption Month, we help seniors become familiar with the benefits of pet ownership and make it physically easier for them to adopt a new pet."
How Can Pet Lovers Support the Cause?
On Sunday, September 16, 2007, pet owners across the country can support the cause of senior pet adoption by utilizing PetLover coupons appearing in local newspapers nationwide. For each PetLover coupon redeemed between September 16, 2007 and November 30, 2007, Purina will donate $0.03 to Tony La Russa's Senior Adoption Program with a minimum donation of $60,000. For details on the Purina(R) Senior PetLover Adoption Month campaign with Tony La Russa's Senior Adoption Program, please visit http://www.purinapetlover.com/. Tony La Russa's Senior Adoption Program provides a $50 discount off an eligible senior citizen's pet adoption fee for individuals 60 years of age and older.
* The survey interviewed 514 adults, ages 60 and over, living in the United States during a two-week period in late July 2007. Phone interviews were conducted via Opinion Research Corporation, a pioneer in marketing research. The results have a margin of error of +/- 5% at the 95% confidence level for comparable data between the populations of pet owners and non-pet owners.
(1) American Journal of Cardiology, 1995