Senior Pet Care Tips: Helping Older Adults Stay Safe While Caring for Dogs and Cats
Caring for a pet brings joy, routine, and companionship, especially for older adults. But as we age, small physical challenges can quietly turn everyday pet care into safety risks.
In this post, Dr. Richardson shares a personal experience that highlights the everyday safety challenges seniors may face while caring for their pets.
I was reminded of this recently while helping my mom leash up her energetic (and sometimes naughty) terrier, Diggity, for a short walk.
“You know, I sometimes feel dizzy when bending over to put on his harness and leash,” she said casually, as if this were no big deal.
I, on the other hand, panicked.
I could instantly picture a dizzy spell combined with her already precarious balance and a serious fall. “Mom, this is a problem,” I said, trying to sound supportive instead of naggy. “Let’s get Diggity up on a chair first with a treat, then put his harness on.”
She paused. “Oh… good idea.”
Crisis averted.
There is nothing more exhausting for an 88-year-old than having their adult child constantly rearranging their life in the name of safety. It takes precision timing and just the right tone to introduce solutions that feel empowering rather than restrictive.
That moment sparked my curiosity about the small, often overlooked challenges seniors face when caring for dogs and cats. Below is a growing list of practical, real-world tips to help older adults stay safe while continuing to care for the pets they love.
Common Pet Care Challenges for Seniors (and Simple Solutions)
Balance Challenges
Falls are one of the biggest risks for older adults, and pets can unintentionally increase that risk.
Ask your dog to jump onto a bench, ottoman, or sturdy chair before putting on a leash or harness
Use a cane, walker, or long-handled scooper to stabilize yourself when picking up dog waste
Sit down while scooping the litter box to avoid bending and dizziness
Safety Challenges While Walking Pets
Daily walks are healthy, but they require awareness and stability.
Avoid listening to music or podcasts while walking your dog so you can hear approaching people, bikes, scooters, or other dogs
Watch your dog’s ears, they often hear things before we do
Treat walks as a form of “walking meditation” and stay present
Do not use a flexi-leash - Read more about this in another blog here!
Use reflective outerwear, light-up collars, or reflective harnesses when walking at dusk, dawn, or nighttime
Medication Management Challenges
Medications can be confusing or physically difficult to manage.
Ask your veterinarian not to use tamper-proof vials if they’re hard to open
Request visit summaries in large print or emailed for easy reference
Tell your vet if giving pills or liquids is difficult, many medications can be compounded into flavored treats or topical forms
Be cautious with human topical medications (including estrogen creams): many are toxic to pets if transferred through skin contact
Illness & Emergency Planning
Planning ahead protects both people and pets.
Have two care plans for your pet in case of sudden hospitalization or illness
Include your pet in your will or estate plan
Decide who should care for them and whether funds can be set aside for their care
Vision Challenges
Reduced vision can make it harder to notice subtle health changes in pets.
Ask groomers or younger family members to visually check your pet during visits
Let them know your eyesight isn’t what it used to be
Ask them to alert you to new lumps, redness, hair loss, or limping
Have them take a photo or short video on your phone to share with your veterinarian
Weak Grip Strength or Arthritic Hands
Leashes and harnesses should work with your body, not against it.
Hold the leash under the loop and use the back of your hand to absorb pulling
Test new leash and harness systems to ensure you can open and close them easily
Keep the leash attached to the harness to reduce fumbling
Do specific hand-strengthening exercises, not every solution should be a workaround
A Small Change Can Make a Big Difference
Diggity now happily jumps onto the ottoman, gets a treat, and waits for his harness. My mom understands why avoiding falls matters.
Her goodbye has even changed.
Instead of “Have a good day,” she now says:
“Stay vertical.”
It’s funny but it’s also serious. With a few thoughtful adjustments, seniors can continue to care for the pets they love safely, confidently, and independently.