Having a pet can help older adults cope with mental and physical health issues, according to a US poll which showed that owning an animal lowers stress and gives people a sense of purpose.
While pets come with benefits, they can also bring concerns, and some people may even put their animals’ needs ahead of their own health, the poll found.
In all, 55 per cent of adults ages 50 to 80 have a pet, according to the new findings — and more than half of those have multiple pets.