Post by Mel on Oct 10, 2006 19:23:08 GMT -5
Dealing with loneliness: animal companions
This article talks about the benefits of pet ownership for lonely people, and gives tips on choosing the right pet for the person and the living space.
People are lonely for many reasons. Some are lonely because they have lost a spouse or companion, some because they are new in a city. Loneliness can strike almost anyone. Some people take up a sport or hobby to help cope with their feelings, while some people will consider a pet. Pets are a wonderful anodyne against loneliness. They provide unconditional love, companionship and give a person something to care for. This is especially effective for those who feel they have outlived their usefulness, or feel they have no gifts or talents. Anyone can love a pet, and be a successful pet owner.
The first thing a person should determine is what kind of pet best suits them, and their living arrangements. If they live in an apartment, will the regulations allow pets? Some will allow small caged animals for no extra deposit, but most will charge a deposit for a dog or cat. Cats tend to do well in apartments, especially if there is an enclosed patio or balcony where they can go outside. They should be watched on balconies, though — they can easily jump off. A smaller dog, like a dachshund or Chihuahua will usually be all right in an apartment, although the pet owner needs to remember that these animals must be walked two or three times daily. If the person takes a daily walk anyway, this may not be a problem, but for someone with limited mobility, a dog may not be the most desirable animal. A homeowner will, of course, not have these restrictions, but should still consider if he or she has the energy and mobility to cope with an animal that needs walking.
Small caged animals are great for apartment living or homes. Ferrets are not recommended for apartments, since they can be destructive (they are a better choice for homes), but guinea pigs, white rats, hamsters or gerbils are all good apartment choices. Rabbits tend to need more care and cage space than the aforementioned animals, and also tend to be more disease-prone.
Guinea pigs and rats are ideal pet companions for smaller spaces. They recognize their owners and are usually affectionate. They also require a minimum of care, and don’t have to be walked! Also, if a person is not sure about a long-term pet commitment, they live about 5-8 years. Guinea pigs are loving, vocal and interactive pets who truly enjoy spending time with their owners. Rats also like human companionship and are of course, noted for their intelligence.
Cats are good for people who may travel, or who are gone part of the day. They are independent, but are usually affectionate, if their owner is loving, also. Cats have a reputation for being aloof and unfriendly, but this is largely untrue. A cat owner simply has to be prepared to take the cat on its own terms. Cats do pretty much what they want to do, when they want to do it. While this frustrates some pet owners, it is part of the charm of living with a cat, for cat lovers.
Dogs, of course, are the pet for the person who never feels he has enough love. Their constant demands for affection are considered wonderful by dog lovers, and little short of annoying to cat people. But here again, dogs are what they are, and a pet owner must respect them for their individual characters. However, dogs don’t do very well left by themselves a lot, and require more daily care than a cat. So, someone who works long hours may want to think about another species.
What about birds? Many lonely people love birds, especially those that can be taught to talk and those that sing. Some species, like finches, canaries or parakeets, require much less care, but buying a parrot, conure or other bird in that family is like adopting a child. They require more care than any dog, live many years (some as long as 70 years), and need a great deal of cage space and human interaction. Birds will become depressed without human companionship and this will predispose them to other illnesses. Getting a larger bird is an intense commitment of both time and money, and such a purchase should be considered carefully.
A pet should provide a lonely person opportunities to care for the animal, but should not be so effort-intensive that the person becomes discouraged with the elaborate care the animal requires. Pets can change a person’s life by giving them purpose and daily tasks to perform to help the well-being of another creature. It is often said that the best antidote for loneliness or depression is to help someone else. For many people, a pet is an excellent beginning on that road.
This article talks about the benefits of pet ownership for lonely people, and gives tips on choosing the right pet for the person and the living space.
People are lonely for many reasons. Some are lonely because they have lost a spouse or companion, some because they are new in a city. Loneliness can strike almost anyone. Some people take up a sport or hobby to help cope with their feelings, while some people will consider a pet. Pets are a wonderful anodyne against loneliness. They provide unconditional love, companionship and give a person something to care for. This is especially effective for those who feel they have outlived their usefulness, or feel they have no gifts or talents. Anyone can love a pet, and be a successful pet owner.
The first thing a person should determine is what kind of pet best suits them, and their living arrangements. If they live in an apartment, will the regulations allow pets? Some will allow small caged animals for no extra deposit, but most will charge a deposit for a dog or cat. Cats tend to do well in apartments, especially if there is an enclosed patio or balcony where they can go outside. They should be watched on balconies, though — they can easily jump off. A smaller dog, like a dachshund or Chihuahua will usually be all right in an apartment, although the pet owner needs to remember that these animals must be walked two or three times daily. If the person takes a daily walk anyway, this may not be a problem, but for someone with limited mobility, a dog may not be the most desirable animal. A homeowner will, of course, not have these restrictions, but should still consider if he or she has the energy and mobility to cope with an animal that needs walking.
Small caged animals are great for apartment living or homes. Ferrets are not recommended for apartments, since they can be destructive (they are a better choice for homes), but guinea pigs, white rats, hamsters or gerbils are all good apartment choices. Rabbits tend to need more care and cage space than the aforementioned animals, and also tend to be more disease-prone.
Guinea pigs and rats are ideal pet companions for smaller spaces. They recognize their owners and are usually affectionate. They also require a minimum of care, and don’t have to be walked! Also, if a person is not sure about a long-term pet commitment, they live about 5-8 years. Guinea pigs are loving, vocal and interactive pets who truly enjoy spending time with their owners. Rats also like human companionship and are of course, noted for their intelligence.
Cats are good for people who may travel, or who are gone part of the day. They are independent, but are usually affectionate, if their owner is loving, also. Cats have a reputation for being aloof and unfriendly, but this is largely untrue. A cat owner simply has to be prepared to take the cat on its own terms. Cats do pretty much what they want to do, when they want to do it. While this frustrates some pet owners, it is part of the charm of living with a cat, for cat lovers.
Dogs, of course, are the pet for the person who never feels he has enough love. Their constant demands for affection are considered wonderful by dog lovers, and little short of annoying to cat people. But here again, dogs are what they are, and a pet owner must respect them for their individual characters. However, dogs don’t do very well left by themselves a lot, and require more daily care than a cat. So, someone who works long hours may want to think about another species.
What about birds? Many lonely people love birds, especially those that can be taught to talk and those that sing. Some species, like finches, canaries or parakeets, require much less care, but buying a parrot, conure or other bird in that family is like adopting a child. They require more care than any dog, live many years (some as long as 70 years), and need a great deal of cage space and human interaction. Birds will become depressed without human companionship and this will predispose them to other illnesses. Getting a larger bird is an intense commitment of both time and money, and such a purchase should be considered carefully.
A pet should provide a lonely person opportunities to care for the animal, but should not be so effort-intensive that the person becomes discouraged with the elaborate care the animal requires. Pets can change a person’s life by giving them purpose and daily tasks to perform to help the well-being of another creature. It is often said that the best antidote for loneliness or depression is to help someone else. For many people, a pet is an excellent beginning on that road.