Consider Adopting a Senior Dog

Consider Adopting a Senior Dog

Consider Adopting a Senior Dog

When it comes to dog adoptions, it’s often the seasoned dogs that get passed over in favor of the cute little newborns. And while the lively playfulness of a puppy may attract your family, consider the benefits of adopting an older dog that’s already trained. You may just end up joining the hundreds of families who have chosen to adopt a senior dog.

Once you consider the benefits of adopting an older dog, you’ll see that a senior dog adoption holds many positive influences, including:

  • Older dogs’ personalities are formed and obvious. Choose a senior dog adoption when you find the just the right older dog whose temperament matches your own.
  • They’re already trained. You don’t have to worry about accidents on the floor with an experienced pup. Expect an older doggie to know when and what to chew too.
  • Older dogs typically are calmer and less likely to harm your human children. They’re usually even-keeled and especially gentle around babies.
  • A senior dog adoption means that many of your vaccinations and early examinations have already been completed, saving you a ton in vet bills.
  • The grooming requirements of an older pet have already been established, so you know what to expect when it comes to bathing and shedding, nail cutting and brushing.
  • An older canine’s diet is well developed so that you don’t have to go through the agonizing trials and errors that puppies often require.

Give an Older Dog a Break

Adopting a new family member from your local shelter certainly is a humane act and one you can feel good about. Unfortunately, older dogs in shelters continue to get passed over in favor of younger pups. As a result, they face a much higher incidence of euthanasia,  according to the ASPCA.

Older dogs and cats fill many of the shelters in New York City and throughout the country. In many cases, these are animals that have given a lifetime of loyalty to their owners who may have passed on or who are unable to care for them any more due to life changes of their own. Adopting an older pooch from the shelter makes you a hero in their eyes!

Senior Dog Adoption for Aging Owners

No one likes to be put out to pasture. At the same time, many seniors don’t have family or caretakers available to provide the constant company they may desire. A senior dog adoption may be just the right choice for an older adult who may have recently lost a spouse or who faces other isolating circumstances.

An older companion won’t require his owner to constantly play with him. Instead, owner and dog may enjoy afternoon naps and slow walks through the park. Older adults who adopt a senior dog find they have an adoring, grateful companion<https://dogtime.com/trending/18712-november-is-national-adopt-a-senior-pet-month> with which you can spend your twilight years. Not only do you save a sweet, even-tempered mutt to shower with your loving affection, you receive just as much unconditional appreciation in return.

Care and Feeding of Older Canines

A senior dog adoption may require additional health care that you may not have bargained for. Aging dogs, like their older adopters, tend to be a tad needier when it comes to their medical care. But you’ll likely have a pretty good idea of what to expect, as certain breeds often have predictable aging issues, some of which your newfound family member may already be undergoing.

Feeding is a little easier and well-established as you don’t want to over-feed an older dog. Fat dogs, like overweight owners, face an even greater risk of developing health issues. And older dogs need to be protected from the elements more so than their younger, rambunctious counterparts.

Protect Your Pup

When it gets cold, rainy or snowy, take care of your new family member with apparel designed for just such occasions. Like older adults, aging pooches need a bit of TLC in the cozy apparel department, such as:

You’ll be glad you joined the legions of pet owners who honored the elderly in November. National Senior Pet Adoption Month calls attention to the plight of senior dog adoptions every year, but you can celebrate all year long!