Responsum for CKD

{{user.displayName ? user.displayName : user.userName}}
{{ user.userType }}
Welcome to

Responsum for CKD

Already a member?

Sign in   
Do you or someone you know have CKD?

Become part of the foremost online community!

Sign Up Now

Or, download the Responsum for CKD app on your phone

Davita Kidney Care

Davita Kidney Care

Animals and CKD: Can Having a Pet Improve Your Health?

Animals and CKD: Can Having a Pet Improve Your Health?

Are you interested in having a pet—but apprehensive due to your chronic kidney disease? DaVita Kidney Care and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains the health benefits of animals and safety tips for having a pet when you have CKD.


Published on {{articlecontent.article.datePublished | formatDate:"MM/dd/yyyy":"UTC"}}
Last reviewed on {{articlecontent.article.lastReviewedDate | formatDate:"MM/dd/yyyy":"UTC"}}

Committing to becoming a pet owner can be a difficult decision for many, much less for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). You may be concerned that your illness and lifestyle may prevent you from being able to care for an animal. DaVita Kidney Care and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) address the benefits of having a pet,* how to find the right pet for you, and safety tips for owning a pet if you have CKD.** 

What benefits are there to having a pet?

If you are concerned about an animal harming your health, multiple studies have shown the opposite. Researchers found both physical and mental benefits to owning a pet for people at all stages of chronic kidney disease. 

Some of the benefits of owning a pet include the following:  

  • Fewer minor health problems, such as headaches, colds, and hay fever
  • Lower blood cholesterol, which makes you less prone to stroke and heart attack 
  • Increase in exercise, especially for dog owners 
  • Decreased negative feelings of depression, worry, and loneliness
  • Fewer doctor visits

DaVita Kidney Care shared feedback from Lori Hartwell, a CKD patient who receives peritoneal dialysis. “My animals are part of my everyday life; they are part of my family,” said Hartwell. “They help me in immeasurable ways.” 

How to find the right pet for you 

Assessing your home, physical ability to care for another being, and overall lifestyle will help to determine what type of pet is best for you.  

The following are some things to consider when choosing a pet:  

  • How much time do you spend at home? If you work or travel a lot, a higher maintenance pet, such as a dog, may not be the best option, as they need more attention. All animals need some attention to ensure they are fed and cared for, but fish tend to be the lowest maintenance. 
  • How active are you? If you are very active and enjoy going outdoors, many dogs need a lot of activity, which would be a good fit. If you are less active, an older dog or cat, a bird, or a fish may be a better option. 
  • How much room do you have in your home? The larger and more active the pet, the more room they need both inside and outside of your house. If an animal doesn’t have the space it needs to move, it’s behavior may become disruptive, and it may become unhappy indoors. 
  • Are you able to care for a pet’s healthcare needs? Just like us humans, animals can also get sick. Being a responsible pet owner means taking care of your pet, “in sickness and in health.”

What to do if you love animals but can’t get a pet

You don’t necessarily need to own a pet to receive the great health benefits they provide. Many animal shelters and humane societies need help caring for the animals that are brought to them, including taking dogs on walks, playing with cats, and more. 

Volunteering at a local shelter or providing temporary foster care are two great ways to help out your community and improve your health. Reach out to your local animal shelter for more information on how to get involved in their volunteer program.  

What are the safety concerns for people with CKD and pets?  

Regardless of what stage CKD you are in, it’s important to take precautions to ensure your safety. Following these steps will help prevent you from potentially getting sick from being around an animal.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap after handling animals and their feces (stool). 
  • If your pet has diarrhea, take them to the veterinarian to check for any infections that could spread to you. 
  • Try to clean bird cage linings and cat litter boxes daily. Avoid having them in the kitchen and any dining areas. 
  • To ensure good health for you and your pet, feed them only high-quality commercial pet food.
  • Avoid animals that are ill, stray, or young (less than six months old for cats and dogs). They are more likely to carry diseases. 
  • Avoid high-risk animals, such as reptiles, baby chicks, ducklings, and exotic animals or pets.  

More information on the benefits of living with pets if you have chronic kidney disease can be found on the Renal Support Network (RSN) website.

*DaVita Kidney Care. (n.d.). Better Living Through Pets. https://www.davita.com/education/ckd-life/better-living-through-pets

**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Organ Transplant Patients: Pet Safety Tips. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/organ-transplant-patients.html

Source: {{articlecontent.article.sourceName}}

 

Join the CKD Community

Receive daily updated expert-reviewed article summaries. Everything you need to know from discoveries, treatments, and living tips!

Already a Responsum member?

Available for Apple iOS and Android