Getting a Pet: Worthwhile Benefits for Seniors

As you age, it can be difficult to find ways to stay active and engaged with the world around you.
A pet can offer an easy solution, providing companionship and giving you purpose on a daily
basis. From helping you remain physically active to reducing stress and providing comfort and
security, Pacific Pups Rescue explains how having a pet can improve your mental and physical
health as a senior:

Enjoying a More Active Lifestyle
Owning a pet can give you the motivation necessary to get up and start moving each day. Going
for walks outside or playing fetch in the house are excellent ways to get some exercise while
bonding with your furry friend. Plus, if you have a dog, you’ll be able to explore places that may
have been off-limits before. Spending time outdoors is beneficial for humans and animals alike!

While you’re at it, think about how you can return the favor and keep your furry companion
healthy. Feeding your pet high-quality food is crucial to their health and well-being. Look for food
made from natural, nutritious ingredients with no added chemicals or preservatives.
Quality pet food should contain proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and other essential
nutrients tailored to the animal’s unique needs. You might try a grain-free product, which can be
easier for pets to digest. Grain-free kibble is sure to please and will provide your pup with a
protein-rich diet from animal sources like poultry, meat, and fish.

Helping You Focus on the Present
Having something else to focus on besides themselves — like tending to another living being —
can help seniors move their attention away from worrying about the past or stressing about the
future. Pets have a way of reminding us that every moment matters, giving us reason to stop
and appreciate our surroundings rather than focusing on things we cannot change. As such, our
furry companions can help us enjoy life’s little pleasures more often while also helping us stay
grounded in reality.

Being Safer at Home
Pets provide much-needed safety and security for seniors living alone at home. Many people
choose dogs because they make fantastic guardians of the home; even if it’s just barking when
someone comes close, the warning is usually enough for intruders to move on elsewhere. If you
are unable or uncomfortable owning a large dog, smaller breeds like pugs or Chihuahuas make
great watch dogs as well!
If you’re a senior concerned about transitioning to assisted living with a pet by your side, you
should see what is available in your area. Many communities are pet-friendly these days, so
your beloved companion can come along to the new home.

Reduced Stress

Johns Hopkins Medicine points out that owning pets can reduce levels of stress hormones like
cortisol significantly compared to those who don’t own pets. Being around animals has also
been linked with increased release of serotonin, which helps improve our moods while
decreasing feelings of loneliness or depression — all without medication! Pets also encourage
relaxation through activities like cuddling or stroking fur; Cherrelyn Animal Hospital notes that
these activities can have calming effects similar to massage therapy.

More Purpose in Your Life
Nothing cures boredom like having someone else in your life that needs your love and care!
Pets make wonderful companions who always greet you with enthusiasm when you come home

from work or errands. Taking care of them can give you something meaningful to focus your
energy on besides yourself, not to mention their unconditional love is unrivaled by anything else!

Summary
At the end of the day, having a pet in your life as a senior can provide you with countless mental
and physical health benefits. Whether it’s enjoying an active lifestyle together outside or
spending quality time inside cuddling up by the fire, your furry friend can give you unmatched
companionship!
Just make sure you’re prepared for the responsibility of caring for an animal. Invest in high-
quality dog food, develop a consistent exercise routine, and find a reputable veterinarian in your
area. And get ready for one of life‘s greatest gifts — a loyal companion who will shower you with
affection!

 

Image via Pexels

How to Start a Dog Treat Business

Dog parents spend lots of money to keep their pets healthy and happy, and that includes buying
dog treats. In fact, the global pet snacks and treats industry is worth more than $33 billion and
still growing.
If you’ve ever made your furry friend homemade treats that they love, why not turn it into a
business? You could make the treats in your home kitchen, and sell them from an online store.
In this guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step process of starting a dog treat business.

Choose Your Products
First, you’ll need to determine if you want to select a niche, such as organic dog treats or low
calorie dog treats. You can also make treats for special occasions, such as Christmas or birthday
treats. Then you’ll need to develop your recipes and make a list of the ingredients you’ll need on
a regular basis.
Then you’ll need to determine how you want to package your treats and in what quantity.

Calculate Your Startup Costs
Once you know what you’re going to offer and what you need in terms of ingredients and
packaging, you can calculate your startup costs. Costs will include not only the ingredients and
packaging materials but also:
 Business licenses and permits
 A website
 A marketing budget
 Any equipment you need to make the treats
 Business insurance
Overall, starting a dog treat business may cost between $3,000 and $8,000.

Determine Your Prices
Your prices will depend on market prices for dog treats, but also your costs to produce the treats.
Typically, a package of homemade dog treats costs about $10 to $15, but you’ll need to
determine exactly what it costs for you to produce and package one package of treats. You
should try to reach a profit margin of at least 50%, so if it costs you $5 to produce one package,
you’ll sell it for at least $10.
If it costs you significantly more to produce one package, you’ll have to be careful not to price
yourself out of the market. For example, if you’re going to have to charge $20 for a package to

make a profit, you may need to find ways to reduce your costs to keep your prices in line with
the market.

Create a Business Plan
A solid, well-thought-out business plan is a necessity, even if you’re not trying to obtain funding
for your business. A business plan will define your strategy to grow your business, and to operate
your business on a day-to-day basis.
A business plan should include these sections:
 An executive summary of the highlights of your plan
 A company summary including your value proposition, mission, and vision
 A specific description of your products and pricing strategy
 An analysis of the size and growth potential of the dog treat market
 A competitor analysis and your proposed competitive advantage
 Your sales and marketing plan
 An operating plan
 A summary of how you’ll manage the company, and your plans to hire employees
 Your financial projections
Keep in mind that your plan will likely change over time as you learn what works and what does
not.

Set Up Your Website
You’ll need a website from which you will sell your dog treats. You can create a website yourself
for a few hundred dollars through many online services, or you can have one professionally
developed, but that will cost more. Alternatively, you could set up a store on Amazon, Etsy, or
Shopify.
In any case, you’ll want to heavily promote your online store on social media and use other
strategies to direct traffic your way.

Choose a Business Structure
If you start operating your business on your own without forming a business entity, you’ll be
operating as a sole proprietorship. With a sole proprietorship, you and the business are
considered one and the same, and the business is a disregarded entity according the IRS.
This means that the business itself is not taxed. The profits are instead passed through to you to
be included on your personal tax return. However, since you and the business are considered one
and the same, you are personally liable for the obligations of the business. So if your business is
sued, perhaps because a dog became ill after eating your treats, you are personally liable, which
puts your personal assets at risk.

For this reason, many entrepreneurs choose to form a limited liability company (LLC), which
offers personal liability protection because you and the LLC are considered separate entities. An
LLC also offers the same pass through taxation as a sole proprietorship. The LLC itself is not
taxed.

Get Business Licenses and Permits
You may need various business licenses and permits at the state and local levels, both those that
are specific to a dog treat business, as well as more general licenses and permits. You may need
permits to operate your business as a commercial kitchen and a manufacturing facility.
Check with your state and local governments for requirements.

Obtain an EIN
If you are hiring employees or if your business has more than one owner, you’ll need to obtain an
employer identification number (EIN). An EIN allows the IRS to identify your business for tax
purposes, much like a Social Security number does for individuals.
It’s simple and free to apply for an EIN on the IRS website.

Get Business Insurance
You’ll need to speak with your insurance agent about the types of business insurance you may
need. You’ll definitely want to at least get general liability insurance which covers you in a
variety of situations. You may also want to insure your business property or equipment.

Open a Business Bank Account
Even if you operate your business as a sole proprietorship, you should open a bank account for
your business to keep your personal and business finances from mingling. This will simplify
your accounting and help you considerably at tax time.

In Closing
Now could be a great time to start a dog treat business, as the industry is projected to grow quite
quickly in the coming years. It only takes a small investment and you can run your business from
home. Just be sure to