Are you considering adopting an older dog? If not, you should! Older dogs bring as much love as puppies do to our pet loving lives. Here are seven wonderful benefits of adopting and loving a senior dog!
Ask most anyone and they will tell you, “Older pets have so much love to give. In fact, they get sweeter every year!” We believe that’s true and our marketing manager shares her life with a mature pup so we know what we’re talking about!
Also, did you know that dogs are considered “seniors” when they are seven-years-old?” If adopting a new pet is in your future, we urge you to consider adopting an older furry friend. They will shower you with so much love your heart will be full every day you spend together.
7 Benefits Of Adopting A Senior Dog
Every November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month and that’s why we want to take some time to share the benefits of adopting an older dog, or even an elderly cat. Many of these older pets are passed over in shelters in favor of puppies and kittens.
What You See Is What You Get With An Older Dog
An older dog is done growing! You won’t adopt a three-pound puppy because you want a lap dog only to have him grow to weigh 100 pounds! When it comes to size, a older dog is a “what you see is what you get.”
You Don’t Have To Live Through The Puppy Stage
Puppies are adorable BUT they enjoy chewing shoes, your furniture, clawing the furniture and doors! Puppies keep you up at night whether they are barking in their crate or if they need to go outside to potty because of their little bladders! Let’s not forget house training and basic obedience training -- that takes a lot of time! A senior dog will be better-mannered probably require little in the way of house training or obedience training. However, it’s never a bad idea to take a dog, yes, even an older canine, for training because it helps her get more socialization and assures you’re sharing your life with the best dog ever.
You Can Teach Your “Old Dog” New Tricks
More mature dogs are eager to please and that means you can teach him tricks. They love to learn as much as puppies do so find a trick and start teaching! A “trick” could be as simple as learning to sit and stay or it could be learning to fetch and bring back to you. There is no reason an older canine can’t learn; humans and pets love to learn, no matter their age.
Older Dogs (And Cats) Are Usually Calmer
If you’re in your retirement years, or if you don’t have the energy to keep up with a puppy, sharing your life with a senior pet means you will get exercise (your dog will need to walk and go outdoors to do her business, after all), but you won’t have to walk for miles or hours. Older cats still love to, and need to, play to stay fit and healthy but they may tire out more quickly and give up on the feather toy much quicker than their kitten counterpart. Elderly dogs (even those who are only seven years old) are happy sitting on the couch with you. Humans in their older years sharing their lives with a dog or a cat are happier and healthier because they have a companion.
Older Dogs Are Much Lower Maintenance
Puppies require a lot of time and attention! A senior dog will still want your time and attention, but he may be all right left home alone. This is not to say that every older dog will happily lie in his crate or on the couch while you’re gone, but many older dogs are happier and more adaptable than a puppy might be. We don’t want to make any broad, sweeping statements because we know many people with older dogs who still claw the doors; all pets are unique.
You Will Be A Hero To That Pet
It’s been said senior dogs and cats, honestly, any dog or cat who is rescued or adopted from a shelter has an “attitude of gratitude.” That is not said lightly because it’s been said that shelter dogs and cats seem to recognize that you are their savior and they look at you with a heart full of love and are eager to please.
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