As time progresses, many seniors will need extra help with daily activities (such as bathing, cooking or laundry), which is exactly what assisted living communities can provide. But many seniors may be unsure if it’s wise to move into a long-term care facility with a pet — or if it’s even allowed.
“Moving to an assisted living community can be very overwhelming, and there can be a period of adjustment for the resident,” explains Joe Williams, owner of 10 Wilmington Place, a senior living community in Dayton, Ohio. “Being able to move in with your loyal companion is a huge positive for potential residents and assists with the transition. It is nice to keep that constant and sense of normalcy during a big move.”
So, are pets typically allowed in assisted living communities? Here, experts explain pet policies and requirements in senior living communities, plus offer tips to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Do assisted living facilities allow pets?
In general, assisted living communities do allow pets, depending on size and temperament, says Sandi Petersen, a doctor of nursing and senior vice president of health and wellness at Pegasus Senior Living in Grapevine, Texas. But with one big caveat: The senior must be able to provide care for the animal with minimal assistance from staff, she explains.
“Most communities want to ensure that staff are focused on resident care — not pet care,” Petersen says. “However, that said, there are some communities that offer concierge services that do include pet care for a fee.”
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Common requirements when pets are allowed in assisted living facilities
While many assisted living facilities are pet-friendly, there are typically rules, explains licensed adult and geriatric psychiatrist Barbara Sparacino, founder of The Aging Parent Coach. Here’s what you’ll likely find in terms of requirements, according to Sparacino:
- Size and weight restrictions favoring smaller pets.
- Allowance of certain types of animals.
- Temperament assessments to ensure the pet is safe to be around residents and staff.
- Proof of vaccinations.
While dogs and cats are certainly common in assisted living facilities, they are not the only type of pets for seniors that are allowed, the experts note. “I have seen birds, fish, pot-bellied pigs and even a tiny horse that were kept as pets in senior living,” Petersen says.
Pet care services offered in assisted living communities
Not all senior living communities offer pet care services, Petersen says. When they do, they are often referred to as concierge services, and they cost extra, she notes. Typical assisted living pet services include feeding, walking and changing litter boxes, according to Williams.
Some pet-friendly communities may also offer social pet services for no added costs — just added fun. “Our community had its first-annual ‘Wellminster Dog Show’ in 2024,” says Jay Mikosch, campus director of senior living at Wellington Bay, a luxury pet-friendly assisted living community in Wellington, Florida. “Residents who entered their pet wrote a short bio of their pet that was read while they paraded their pet for all to see.”
Benefits of pet-friendly assisted living facilities for seniors
“I believe more and more communities are becoming pet-friendly because of the benefits to seniors,” explains Selina Tran, a registered nurse and administrator of Lisbet Memory Care who works with Mikosch at Wellington Bay. “Specifically, pets are known to reduce loneliness and depression, ease anxiety and stress and lower blood pressure.”
Pets can also help make the initial transition of moving into an assisted living community easier, Mikosch adds. “A familiar pet reminds the senior of home and is an ice-breaker when moving into a community and meeting people for the first time,” he says.
When pets can pose a problem in assisted living communities
Even if an animal fits pet policy requirements, there are certain situations where it may not be a good idea to move a pet into an assisted living community. Here are the most common reasons, according to experts:
Risk of injury: “Memory care communities tend to discourage pets due to possible injury to pets and/or residents that can occur,” Petersen says. In these instances, some communities may have a “house pet” that visits the facility or resides there but is cared for by staff, Petersen notes. That way seniors can still get all the benefits of having an animal around.
Pet care and support limitations: “If a senior’s health or mobility prevents them from adequately caring for the pet — even with support — it may be best to find the pet a new, loving home,” Sparacino says. “Similarly, if the pet has behavioral challenges or doesn’t adapt well to new environments, it could cause stress for both the senior and the pet.”
What to do if it’s not be safe for a senior to keep their pet
“If the senior or the pet is in ill-health and either does not benefit from the relationship, I would consider alternate placement for the pet,” Petersen says. “Perhaps the pet could move in with another family and have ‘scheduled visits’ with the resident. This is helpful for some residents who have had a pet for a long time, but are no longer able to care for it.”
Health and safety tips when moving into assisted living with a pet
Seniors and their caregivers should always consult their veterinarian and physician to verify that a specific pet is safe and appropriate to move into an assisted living environment, Tran says.
“Pets must be vaccinated according to generally accepted standards and be kept clean and free of odors,” she says. An animal’s nails should also be kept trimmed to reduce scratches, which seniors in particular can be prone to due to blood thinners and thinner skin, she adds.
“Another important consideration is a back-up plan should the senior become ill or hospitalized,” Tran says. “Having a dog-walker, pet sitter or boarding facility on standby is important and communicating that plan to the community is essential.”
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How to find the right pet-friendly assisted living facility
“Remember, finding the right fit benefits both the senior and their furry companion,” Sparacino says, so it’s important to do your homework. Here, experts offer their top tips for seniors and caregivers looking for pet-friendly assisted living facilities:
- Make a list of must-haves for both the senior and the pet. “First, determine the senior’s ability to safely care for their pet,” Tran says. This will dictate ongoing support and services that are must-haves to ensure a safe situation.
- Research facilities that are pet-friendly and match your needs. Tran also recommends researching reliable dog walkers, boarding facilities or pet sitters in the area if assistance is needed and in case of emergency.
- Visit and tour to see how facilities accommodate pets. “A good fit includes outdoor areas for exercise, pet-friendly policies and supportive staff,” Sparacino says. “A less ideal situation might involve limited space, lack of outdoor access or restrictions that don’t align with the senior’s needs.”
Do you have a dog? Having access to level outdoor walking paths and a first floor apartment is ideal, Williams adds. - Review the community’s policies in person. Sparacino recommends talking to staff during your visit about pet policies, available services and rules.
- Connect with residents who also own pets. Both Tran and Sparacino also suggest asking to speak to an existing resident who has a pet to gain better insight of the community’s approach to pets and to learn about their experiences.
The bottom line on pet-friendly senior living
While many assisted living facilities are pet-friendly, it is important to ask this question during your search because it is not a guarantee, Williams says. Typically, pet-friendly communities welcome small pets, and they must be updated on their annual vaccinations, he says. Some communities also require that the senior be able to care for the pet themselves, while others may offer personal pet care services, which are available for an extra fee. To be sure your senior and their pet will be supported, it’s important to ask about specific pet care policies and tour potential pet-friendly assisted living facilities in person.
