New research investigates the risks pets pose to older adults.

Pets bring love and laughter into our homes, but they can also bring hidden dangers. This is especially true for older adults, who arguably benefit most from the companionship and health benefits associated with pet ownership, but they are also particularly susceptible to the risks pets can pose.

Whilst research directed towards understanding the benefits of pet ownership has increased rapidly in recent years, very little attention has focused on the flipside of this relationship. For this reason, researchers at the University of Adelaide have conducted a scoping review on the risks pets pose to older adults, in order to summarise what is already known and highlight gaps for future research.

The risks of pet ownership

Using search terms such as “older adult” and “pets”, the researchers identified 26 existing studies reporting on the risks companion animals pose to older adults. The risks were categorised into three groups: zoonotic risks (infections passed from pets to humans), physical risks and psychological risks.

Zoonotic risks: The most reported risk was zoonotic diseases, which pose a significant danger to older adults due to their weaker immune systems. Bacterial infections transmitted by cats and dogs were the most common. One bacterial infection of Campylobacter jejuni was stated as being fatal, whilst six other bacterial infections resulted in hospitalisation.

Physical risks: The second most reported risk was physical risks, with falls being the most common. Older adults are more likely to fall when tripping over a pet due to their reduced agility and the injuries resulting from falls are often worse owing to their lower bone density (e.g. hip fractures). Bites and scratches were also revealed, which again can be more serious in older adults due to their fragile skin and weaker immune systems.

Psychological risks: Grief resulting from the death of a beloved pet was the most reported psychological risk. The grief was described as comparable to losing a family member, which often increased their feelings of depression, and sometimes needed professional help to overcome. This grief was also observed if older adults were parted from their pets when moving into aged care facilities.

Reducing the risks: practical advice

Despite the known benefits of pet ownership for older adults, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the potential dangers of interacting with pets. By systematically identifying the risks associated with pet ownership, the scoping review aimed to raise awareness and prompt the development of prevention strategies to mitigate the risks of pet ownership for older adults. Here are some recommendations:

• Keep pet vaccinations up to date
• Wash hands after touching pets
• Do not let pets sleep on your bed
• Keep pet beds and environments clean
• Use gloves when cleaning aquariums or terrariums
• Wear gloves when removing animal faeces
• Cover skin when interacting with pets
• Wash bites or scratches with soap in running water
• Train pets to walk at your side to minimise trip hazards
• Train dogs to not pull when walking on lead
• Access help to manage grief after losing a pet

Pets can be a lifeline for older adults, positively impacting their physical and psychological health, but it’s important to also consider the danger that pets can pose. By accepting these risks and taking practical steps to reduce the likelihood of them happening, older adults can continue enjoying the benefits of pets for longer.

Key study findings:

• Risk type was categorised into 3 groups (zoonotic, physical & psychological)
• The worst outcomes reported were fatalities
• Very little literature beyond cats and dogs were found
• By following risk mitigation recommendations, older adults can safely interact with pets