The number of Spaniards living alone continues to grow year after year. In fact, in 2016, one-person households increased by another 54,100, meaning that there are now more than 4.6 million people living without company.
The profile of this group is older women, according to the latest data from the 2016 Continuous Household Survey, published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). Of the 4,638,300 Spaniards who live alone (10.1% of the total population), the majority are over 65 (41.7%), and 70.7% of them are women.
In addition, Spain continues to age. According to the Continuous Register data (INE), on January 1, 2015 there were 8,573,985 older people (65 and over), representing 18.4% of the total population. At the same time, the proportion of people over 80 continues to grow
In this context, it is very important to ask what role ARISTOPETS can play in all of this. It has already been scientifically proven that living with pets is beneficial to health at every stage of life. We also know that this is especially true in old age, since ARISTODOGS help combat memory loss.
The WHO also states that “health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of well-being,” and ARISTODOGS can provide tremendous help in this regard. With that in mind, today we want to talk to you about which breeds are best suited to share their lives with older people.
In general, they should be small breeds, so taking them for walks is easier and falls or pulling can be avoided. In addition, they should not require very complex care or need a high level of activity. The Madrid College of Veterinarians recommends adopting a female, as they tend to be more affectionate and loving and, generally speaking, easier to handle. Let us look at the five most suitable breeds:
1. Yorkshire Terrier
With a nervous, active, and playful temperament, it is ideal for long walks. It is very affectionate with its owners, but has a strong personality that must be managed so it does not become the master of the house. They often bark a lot when the phone or doorbell rings, when they hear the elevator or a neighbor... We could say they provide plenty of companionship.
They come in several sizes, from toy size up to four or five kilograms. Their long, straight coat requires some dedication to brushing, bathing, and grooming, which is helpful in allowing older people to maintain routines and continue feeling useful and responsible. Their most common problems are kneecap dislocation and tracheal collapse, which can lead to more serious problems if not properly managed. To learn more about them, keep reading here.
2. Poodle
The poodle is athletic, calm, affectionate, and very intelligent. The perfect companion for older people who still lead an active life and whose physical condition allows them to play a little.
One of the poodle’s greatest advantages is that it does not shed: its coat grows quickly and continuously, preventing hair from falling around the home. Therefore, it does not create additional work around the house. However, it does require frequent brushing, detangling, and haircuts.
They come in several sizes, toy, miniature, medium, and standard, with some weighing up to 30 kilograms, so choosing one of the first two is recommended. Their medical problems include kneecap dislocation and excessive hair buildup inside the ear canal.
3. Pug
Also known as a pug, it has a distinctive appearance, with its flat muzzle and bulging eyes, and appeals to everyone. Very friendly with people and other dogs, it has an excellent balance between being active and calm. Its short coat makes care easier, but, like any brachycephalic breed, it snores.
It is not a fan of long walks, especially in hot weather, as it does not breathe very well and cannot tolerate them, but it does like going outside and playing. Its most common health problems are watery eyes and skin allergies, along with knee problems.
4. Chihuahua
It is the ideal breed for those who live alone and cannot take their pet outside often. Calm in temperament (although sometimes grumpy with strangers), it is very easy to take anywhere because of its small size: from going shopping to putting it in a travel bag and flying across the world. They often suffer from kneecap dislocation and have delicate skin because of their very short coat. They also do not tolerate cold well. Their diet requires some special attention as well. We explain it here.
5. Pomeranian
It has a temperament similar to the Chihuahua, but a very different appearance. Its long, silky coat makes it more difficult to care for because it requires regular brushing and grooming. They suffer from joint problems and have very delicate paws. However, they are pleasant and affectionate dogs that can make an older person feel very loved.
Because of their smaller size and low activity level, all these dogs also have lower nutritional needs than usual. They can be somewhat fussy eaters. They are somewhat prone to tartar buildup on their teeth, which can be prevented with proper dental hygiene, whether through brushing, professional dental cleanings with the veterinarian, or daily-use sticks
Veterinarians recommend taking dogs outside three times a day, with one of the outings lasting at least half an hour. However, since these are small dogs, some ARISTOPARENTS decide to train them to relieve themselves in an area of the home specially designed for this purpose, using newspaper, training pads, or even soil, similarly to cats. In this case, one daily outing for exercise and socialization could be enough, something that can undoubtedly make responsible pet ownership easier for an older person.
