Adopting A Senior Pet

Older adopted pets seem to understand what you have done for them, and they return your kindness with uncommon love and devotion.

Here are ten great reasons to consider adopting a senior pet!

1. Mature pets have manners. Unlike puppies and kittens, many grown-up dogs and cats have spent years living with a family and being socialized to life with humans. They understand obedience training and respond better to commands like Sit, Stay, and down.
2. Senior pets are less destructive. Most mature adoptive pets are past the search-and-destroy phase. They are also more likely to be house trained and it takes a matter of hours or a day or two to help them learn the potty rules in their new home.
3. You don’t need to worry so much about finding your favorite pair of shoes or a table leg chewed up or destroyed. Chances are your senior kitty has no urge to overturn your potted plant or shred the handmade quilt your grandma gave you.
4. A senior pet holds no surprises as to how big he might get, what color his adult coat will be, or whether his hips will be healthy. A senior pet comes to you with his own history, which makes his future much more predictable than that of an young puppy or kitten.
5. It’s true that you can teach an old dog, new tricks. Adult dogs can focus on the task at hand (unlike many of their much younger counterparts). If your adopted older pet needs to learn a few things in their new life with you they are usually quick to train. Older dogs are more attentive than puppies, and more eager to please their humans.
6. It’s much easier to custom order a senior pet. If you’re looking for a short-haired cat, for example, or a feline with no history of dental disease, it is possible to search until you find an older pet with exactly those attributes. If you already have a cat and need your adoptive dog to get along with cats, again, you’ll have a much better chance of finding an older adoptive dog who is a perfect companion for your family.
7. If you really love a certain breed of dog or cat, chances are there’s a breed rescue club that can point you in the direction of older purebred pets in need of homes.
8. Senior pets are great company for senior citizens. Many elderly people find the calm presence of an older pet very comforting. They appreciate having a companion who is also ‘getting up there’ in age. And they understand the concept of moving through life at a slower speed.
9. Older pets are relaxing to hang out with. Senior dogs and cats have all the basics down and aren’t full of wild energy to burn. Because you’re not constantly chasing around or cleaning up after your an pet, you have a lot more time to spend finding fun things to do or just relaxing together.
10. Adopted senior pets are grateful for your kindness. Somehow, older pets seem to know you gave them a home when no one else would. Many new owners form a close bond very quickly with their senior dog or cat, because the pet shows them a level of attention and devotion that is unique to older adopted animals.

You can be a hero to a deserving dog or cat. Almost without exception, people who adopt older animals feel a special sense of pride and purpose in opening their heart to a hard-to-place pet. It is a rewarding experience where doing a good thing really does make you feel good!