If she is unable to exercise the dog every day, then definitely DO NOT get her a dog! Dogs are not “gifts” for folks that are lonely. If she wanted a dog, she probably would have already acquired one. Dogs are a lifetime commitment.

ETA: If she is unsteady on her feet, a small dog milling about would be a trip hazard.

Perhaps a pet that doesn’t need walking or toileting, such as a bird, would be a better idea.

If she use's a walker full time a small dog is do-able, I'm a senior and I use a walker all the time in my apartment, my 8Lb yorkie watches out for the walker as well as my cane, after they walk into them they learn pretty quick to watch out for me,as I walk I do say Beep-Beep and she moves. Maybe if you were to get her a senior dog that would be a better thought, my rescue yorkie is around 12 ish the shelter didnt know, some time she doesn't even want to go out. I highly recommend using wee-wee pads, I have cats and cleaning the litter box is a lot harder that picking up the P pads. Maybe she could find someone to walk the dog even once a day. Have you even discussed adopting a dog with her?

I'd suggest not. Dogs are a lot of work.

Friends got a small dog for their mother. Dog has a penchant to swallow *everything*. After multiple vet visits to get the dogs stomach cleaned out of various things including hearing aid batteries....well let's just say the daughter has a dog now. Mom just wasn't quick enough to get things away from him.

Some people who live on boats train their dogs. They typically use something like astro-turf, and the dogs adapt. Training may be possible, I suppose it depends in part on the individual dog.

Maybe an older, smallish dog would work, but poop could be a problem. Pee pads can be helpful. My dog gets out several times a day, but we have a P pad down and he uses it about once a week. To get him started I blotted a new pad on the spot in the grass where he had peed and brought it into the house, which worked. But as I said I have real concerns about the wisdom of a dog for her, but if it could work, it could be a lifeline for her. I am not sure it would work, but I hope you can help her in someway.

My dog would go nuts if he only got walked 2X a week. Actually he would drive me nuts staring.

If she is allergic to cats there is a good chance she will be allergic to dogs. Have her get tested before bringing in something she will fall in love with and then may have to give up.

A dear friend's children brought her a parakeet after her husband died. At first she was rather ticked and told them they needed to return the bird. But he grew on her in a big way and turned out to be the perfect companion for her. Every day she took him out of the cage onto the kitchen floor to play on his "playground" with small wind-up toys that he loved. He would even try to feed them! My friend talked to him regularly and he developed an amazing vocabulary, so to speak. When she had to move to assisted living her daughter took over the bird's care and would take him to visit her mom when she'd come to visit herself.

Without a daily walk, I don't think your friend's dog would be very happy. After the birth of their first baby, our daughter and son-in-law asked us to have their dog for awhile because they're on the third floor of their building and it was a bigger deal to take him out than opening the back door. You're kind to worry about your friend.

And the winner of the “Wisest Comment of the Day“ award goes to (drumroll):

@2pups4me!

I echo earlier comments. Dogs need outdoor access and exercise for physical and mental health. I'm sorry about your friend's situation but injecting a dog into circumstances you describe would be cruel. Do all you can to talk to her to understand and redirect her intentions.

Maybe a gerbil?

Is she in a location that would allow bird feeders? My grandmother was happy to spend hours each day just watching the birds.

Not fair to the dog!

I second the idea of a bird. My mom had a canary for many years and his singing brought her great joy.

My 85 year old sister lives in a senior housing situation and has her little dog with her. She is on the ground floor with a sliding door to the outside. She is very able bodied and can still walk him on her own. BUT, inside her apartment, the dog is always on her lap and NO one can get near my sister without getting bit by this dog!! They can become very territorial and can be a problem if anyone comes in the apartment/condo.

I am the fence. You say she likes dogs but has she had one?

I can see an older rescue which would be a win/ win.

A friend just rescued a Silkie/ mix. As it turns out, this dig was trained on a wee wee pad, which they figured out after many inside accidents. It’s convenient and might be an answer for your friend.

Since she can afford a dog walker, that will help with exercise.

Although the other ideas of pets could work, nothing equals the companionship of a dog.

Then, there is the cleaning if the smelly cage. Yuck. We had guinea pigs, a white mouse, a rabbit and goldfish as pets for my two daughters. Not a fan, although I loved them all.

Birds can be really messy! They throw seeds and feathers and dust around, so unless you have some great way to contain all that below the cage, that is easy to empty and clean, I'm not so sure a bird is the way to go, either. Maybe she could have someone come in and clean up the bird once a week or whatever is needed?

I'm only on board with a dog in a situation like this if the person can afford a DAILY dog walker. A couple of times a week isn't enough, even for a small dog.

While I would recommend she not get a dog for those that use wee pads be aware that the bottom of your dog's feet are abrasive and can tear tiny holes in the plastic on the pads. The pads that I have found are not really absorbent enough for even my 20+ cat. I use one of those material human bed pads under the wee pad.

I think wild life should remain wild. Birds kept in cages is a disgrace. Cats and dogs are domesticated...not held captive. Birds if let loose try to fly away...ever wonder why?

Not everyone should have a pet.

Nicole, I disagree about the birds. You can get nice spacious cages and have a parakeet or canary and they can be quite companionable. I grew up with a parakeet and as I said my mom had a canary.

Only thing is birds can trigger allergies just as cats can.

i'm gonna agree with those who say no. dogs are a huge responsibility and can be quite costly if an emergency arises. unless a dog is a senior that is content to sleep all day, it will need enrichment in the form of daily walks, toys, etc. it isn't at all fair to keep a dog cooped up with no energy outlet not to mention the fact that those dogs often become destructive and/or neurotic.

if she has her heart set on a dog and simply can't be talked out of it, there are indoor "potties" but obviously, the dog would have to be very small.

https://www.chewy.com/petsafe-pet-loo-portable-indoor/dp/167577?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=PetSafe&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9P__BRC0ARIsAEZ6irh1cBBUzfM_ZxBYZL83kPFNzHkeIdFqT-LGJ918F9xEWODmNx4mnMQaAkAWEALw_wcB

I know...how about a rabbit. They are easy to care for, can be litter box trained, and can be quite companionable. Only thing is they chew things so you have to chew-proof the house.

I know lots of people with disabilities who have all types of pets. They get extra help. I vote yes if the person is able to financially and personally have a good support network. In other words other people would have to agree to step in when needed and she would have to pay for a daily walk or two.

I made it work with a disability for years. I would just cobble together a walk two times a day for the dogs. If DS or DH couldn't do it then I would do short more frequent walks a day.

Definitely doable. We have a 10 lb. chihuahua. The only mistake was getting a puppy instead of someone who was at least a year. We use potty pads. As for exercise, once a day, at his discretion, he does a double-time tear between the sitting room and the kitchen. He does 4 or 5 laps and he's more than ready for a nap.

He's adapted quite nicely to living with old people. The vet is quite pleased with his demeanor and well being. I would look for a dog like a Maltese. Their sole purpose in life is to be a companion. They have hair. Not fur. So allergies are not a problem.

Poodles and yorkies are also good for people with allergies. However Yorkies are terriers and are high energy for such little critters. Poodles are quite adaptable and highly intelligent. They train well. We had a Pomeranian. She was the best, but Poms imprint to one person more than others. So, if someone else will be in it's life, such as a son or daughter, make sure the dog meets them right from the start. Otherwise it will be difficult for them to help out. They also are good for people with allergies and are quite content as a lap dog.

We've had dogs for 50 years. We had bigger dogs when the kids were home. As we aged, the size of the dog got smaller. All the animal really needs is love, food and to be protected. It doesn't need to be walked, but it will need to be played with a bit. It will entertain itself and let you know if it needs something more. But the safety of a loving home is the only necessity.

Pet aside, your friend will get some of her previous life activities back if she is properly fitted for a wheelchair/scooter. Once she has had the vaccine, she could go outside and socialize, sit and chat with others, etc. And she will then be able to provide exercise for a small dog.

In addition to all the other helpful considerations from other posters, does she have someone who could take care of any pet, bird or dog, in the event she is hospitalized? At 75 with balance issues, that could unfortunately be very important.

75 YO with balance problems living in a high rise? No dog. Not fair to the animal and not a good idea for the senior, either.

Possibly some regular physical therapy sessions to help improve her functioning AND getting her out of the condo & around other people to help with the isolation & lonesome-ness?? Anyway that might be do-able?

I wonder if one of these supposedly 'hypoallergenic' cat breeds might work?

https://www.homeoanimal.com/blogs/blog-pet-health/14-hypoallergenic-cat-breeds

That is a terrible idea. I've had dogs under 15 lbs for the better part of 30 years. Training them to go any kind of potty in the house opens the door for them to have accidents, they do get under foot and even though they are small, they still need regular exercise. My 12 lb Mini Schnauzer walked 3 miles daily, my 7 lb Yorkie walked a mile and a half daily.

When dogs aren't exercised, they get bored. And when they get bored, they get naughty. It's unfair to the owner, unfair to the neighbors (yap-yap) and mostly unfair to the dog.

Annie, rabbits can also trigger terrible allergies.

Where is anniegreit?