It might be hard to think about retirement right now, considering you may currently be focusing on where your career is going. Your kids have all gotten married and moved to various parts of the country, leaving you with an empty nest. Many people in retirement or with empty nests fill that void with a companion animal, such as a dog or cat. However, bringing an animal into your pet-friendly home is a big decision.
Luckily, Rent. Other than the fact that cats and dogs are adorable and give unconditional love, there are actually several benefits to owning a companion animal that may surprise you. But with a pet, those sad feelings may be significantly reduced. Animals are often brought into hospitals to help patients recover.
Animals help reduce anxiety, which has a direct impact on chronic pain such as migraines and arthritis. Researchers have even found that people recovering from surgery who engage in pet therapy typically require less pain medication than those who do not interact with therapy animals.
This may ring true more so for dogs than cats, but both require you to get up and move around. Cats need exercise too, but not as frequently. Pets are a great conversation starter, and they get you out of your apartment. You can take your pup to a dog park and strike up conversations with other owners and begin to develop friendships.
Even just taking your dog or cat to the vet is an opportunity to get out and meet other pet owners. Having a pet in your retirement years is a wonderful form of mental stimulation.
