Dogs may help older adults living alone stay active, feel connected, and find purpose in everyday routines. A Mather Institute study offers encouraging evidence of that relationship—and a lovely reminder that caring for a dog can be a two-way street.
Your dog probably has no idea what “healthy aging” means.
But they do know when it’s time for a walk. And breakfast. And the second breakfast they’re pretty sure you forgot.
Those small moments can give a day its shape. A reason to get outside. Someone to come home to. A familiar face that considers your return from the mailbox a major life event.
For people aging on their own, that companionship can be especially meaningful. And it raises a question we love at Jiminy’s: If our dogs help us live well, how can we help them do the same?
WHAT THE STUDY FOUND ABOUT PETS AND SOLO AGERS
Mather Institute’s Better Together: Effects of Pet Ownership on Solo Agers surveyed 900 U.S. adults aged 55 and older in May 2025 and included 10 interviews with pet owners.
Among the 600 pet owners surveyed:
- 76% reported improved emotional wellbeing.
- 62% reported reduced stress.
- 45% reported increased physical activity.
- 81% said their pets provided daily structure or routine.
Dog owners also had higher self-reported physical activity scores than people without pets.
These are associations and personal reports, not proof that adopting a dog causes better health or extends life. The study also found that benefits varied by age and pet type.
Still, the findings give us a useful way to think about companionship: the relationship can matter as much in ordinary daily moments as in the big ones.
WHY DOGS CAN MAKE EVERYDAY LIFE FEEL MORE CONNECTED
A dog doesn’t need you to have exciting plans. They would happily nominate a slow walk around the block as the event of the day.
That walk can also become an opening for human connection. A neighbor asks your dog’s name. You recognize another familiar face. Suddenly, “good morning” turns into an actual conversation.
As Mather Institute explains, pets can offer companionship, purpose, and opportunities for social interaction. Those opportunities may be particularly valuable for solo agers—older adults navigating aging without a dependable family support network.
Of course, living alone doesn’t automatically mean feeling lonely. And a dog doesn’t replace friends, community, or professional support.
But there’s something deeply comforting about sharing your home with someone who wants to be near you. Even if their preferred version of “near” is directly on your feet.
HEALTHY AGING IS SOMETHING WE CAN SUPPORT TOGETHER
The conversation around aging often includes healthspan: the time spent in good health and with a good quality of life.
For dog parents, that idea feels familiar. We want years together filled with comfortable walks, enthusiastic meals, curious noses, and favorite games.
Supporting those days takes attention to the whole dog. Veterinary guidance on senior pet care emphasizes individualized nutrition, monitoring weight and muscle condition, and adapting care as needs change.
The goal is to keep noticing. Is your dog moving comfortably? Enjoying food? Maintaining their usual weight? Still interested in the things they love?
A slower walk can still be a wonderful walk. Especially when there are seventeen shrubs requiring investigation.
HOW INSECT PROTEIN CAN SUPPORT YOUR DOG’S NUTRITION
Helping your dog live a longer, healthier life is Jiminy’s mission. Thoughtful nutrition is one way we work toward it.
Insect protein gives us a different way to nourish dogs, with research supporting its use as a nutritious ingredient.
Digestible protein for everyday nourishment
Protein supplies amino acids the body uses to build and maintain tissues, including muscle.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Animal Science tested diets containing different amounts of cricket meal in 32 healthy adult dogs over 29 days. All diets remained highly digestible, although digestibility declined as cricket inclusion increased. Blood measurements stayed within healthy reference ranges.
That supports cricket meal as a suitable dog-food ingredient. It does not establish a lifespan benefit or mean every insect-based recipe performs identically.
A thoughtful approach to digestive wellness
Whole crickets also contain chitin, a naturally occurring fiber in their outer structure. Researchers are investigating how insect-derived fibers interact with the gut microbiome—the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract.
Jiminy’s Cravin’ Cricket is designed with digestive wellness in mind. For pet parents, choosing food is about finding a complete diet their dog enjoys and tolerates well. Comfortable digestion makes everyday life a little easier for everyone holding the leash.
An alternative protein for dogs with food sensitivities
For a dog who doesn’t tolerate a familiar protein, trying a different protein source may be part of a veterinarian’s nutrition plan.
Jiminy’s Good Grub uses black soldier fly larvae protein and is designed for dogs with food sensitivities, with support for skin and coat health. Insect protein can offer an alternative to proteins such as chicken or beef, although no protein is allergy-proof.
Both Good Grub and Cravin’ Cricket are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult dogs. If your dog has a medical condition or needs a therapeutic diet, ask your veterinarian which food fits their needs.
Insect protein has not been shown to make dogs live longer. Its role here is supporting nutrition and everyday wellbeing as part of a broader care routine.
Health first. Sustainability always.
SMALL HABITS THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY YEARS TOGETHER
You don’t need to turn your life into a wellness retreat. Your dog would probably settle for a walk and some quality couch time.
Try building around a few manageable habits:
- Share movement you both enjoy. Adjust walks and play to your dog’s comfort, mobility, and your own abilities.
- Make meals intentional. Measure portions and discuss weight or muscle changes with your veterinarian.
- Keep preventive care on the calendar. Regular examinations can help identify problems before they become more serious.
- Care for their teeth. Include home dental care and veterinary assessment in your routine.
- Leave room for curiosity. A sniffing walk, a simple training game, or a food puzzle can add variety to the day.
- Arrange backup care. Choose someone who can help if you’re ill or away, and make sure they know your dog’s routine.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends attention to older pets’ physical, mental, and healthcare needs. Good nutrition belongs alongside that care.
The backup plan matters, too. Mather’s report found financial strain and future care concerns among pet owners. Choosing a dog whose size, energy, and needs fit your life helps make companionship sustainable for both of you.
MORE GOOD DAYS WITH YOUR FAVORITE COMPANION
Our dogs ask for remarkably ordinary things: food, care, a little adventure, and our company.
Yet those ordinary things can become some of the best parts of our lives.
At Jiminy’s, we want to help you return that care through nutrition that supports your dog’s wellbeing while considering the planet you share.
Here’s to comfortable walks, happy mealtimes, and more days together.
Even the ones that begin with a wet nose before your alarm.
Explore Jiminy’s dog food to find a recipe that fits your companion.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can owning a dog help older adults age well?
Dogs may support healthy aging through companionship, routine, physical activity, and opportunities to connect with others. Mather Institute found encouraging associations among solo agers, but its survey does not prove that dog ownership causes better health or longer life.
What is a solo ager?
A solo ager is generally an older adult aging without reliable support from a spouse, partner, or adult children. Definitions vary. Someone who lives alone may still have a strong network of friends and community support.
Should every older adult get a dog?
No. Consider mobility, housing, finances, a dog’s temperament and care needs, and who could provide backup care. Spending time with a friend’s pet can offer companionship without taking on full-time ownership.
Can insect-protein dog food help my dog live longer?
There is no established evidence that insect-protein dog food extends lifespan. Research supports insect protein’s use in canine nutrition. A suitable complete and balanced diet can be part of a plan that also includes healthy weight, activity, dental care, and regular veterinary visits.
Is Jiminy’s dog food suitable for senior dogs?
Good Grub and Cravin’ Cricket are formulated for adult dogs. They may suit some senior dogs, but older dogs’ nutritional needs vary. Your veterinarian can help assess the right recipe and portions, especially if your dog has a health condition.
How can I help my dog and me stay active together?
Choose a routine that works for both of you, such as comfortable walks or gentle play. Adapt it as either of your needs change. The best shared routine is one you can enjoy and maintain.
