Question 

My mother is 85 years old, and she desperately wants to get a dog. She believes that it will be a good companion for her. 

Mom is a healthy lady and quite capable of taking care of herself to this point. She is traveling less, so she is home more than shortly after she retired. So, she would be around most of the time for her pet. 

What I would like to know are what the key things are that mom should consider about a dog before she jumps in and maybe finds herself overwhelmed. She has not had a dog in the house since we were children. She has some experience with a dog, but it has been some time ago and she might only be remembering the good things. 

I am wondering if at her age getting a dog is a good or bad idea and what kind of dog to get for an older lady. 

Answer 

Getting a dog for an older adult requires some planning for the owner and for the dog’s future care. 

First the positives. A dog can be a great companion. Most of them love to cuddle and watch your shows with you. They are loyal. Many bark when someone comes to the door, so they work as an early warning system. They definitely give you family and someone by your side all the time. Because dogs need exercise, it can force you to go outdoors more and walk, which can add years to human life span. 

There are a number of things to consider before taking the leap and getting a dog for an 85-year-old. Here are the top items to ponder: 

• Having a plan for care of the animal if they outlive you is essential. Someone in your family should be willing to be the new owner if your mother becomes disabled, moves into a facility that does not accept pets, or dies. 

• Selecting the dog needs to be a group effort with your mother and whoever will be the guardian, if needed. You both need to select the pet and love the animal. 

• Dog breed and personality are very important. Mom may love the German Shepard that you had as children, but that could be too much for her to manage at this point in her life. Dog breed selection needs to match the personality, agility, and capability of the owner. Read up on each breed and talk to other dog owners and a veterinarian before making a selection. 

• Consider the age of the dog. Puppies are the cutest and also the most work. Getting one through the first year or so is work and disruption. A dog that is a few years old would be much easier and also have a shorter lifespan. Older dogs can have more health issues, though dogs of any age can have problems. 

• Think about size. I would not get a dog that I do not have the strength to control or lift into a car if necessary. 

• Do remember that you must take that dog out multiple times during the day unless you have a fenced-in yard where you are able to just open the door to let him or her out. 

• Consider the cost. A pure breed dog will cost about $1,500 to several thousand dollars. It will be much less from a humane center. The annual cost to feed and care for a healthy dog will be at least $2,000 a year, for food, treats, vet bills, and preventive medication. This is assuming that your dog is never ill or needs surgery, something that you should not count on. I know plenty of people that have paid thousands for a surgery that they did not plan for. 

Once your mother and the future guardian have considered the significant factors listed and you are both in agreement, you are ready to begin the search. I wish you years of cuddles and entertainment if you embark on this adventure together.