November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month—and there’s never been a better time to splurge on a classic cat or dog! Senior pets are often the hardest to adopt, when in fact they often make the best animal companions because they’re already housebroken, have good manners, and won’t chew everything at ground level. Here are five reasons to adopt a senior pet:
- Their personalities are already developed. When you adopt a kitten or puppy, you’re taking a chance on what type of behavior and personality your new pet may have. Older pets, on the other hand, have already developed their personalities and behaviors so you know what to expect ahead of time. When talking with a rescue or shelter’s adoption team, make sure to ask about a pet’s likes and dislikes, if Fido or Fluffy was raised or lived with children and their ages, and if your potential new family member gets along well with other dogs or cats if you have other pets living in your home.
- Older pets tend to be more relaxed and calm. Typically, older cats and dogs are more relaxed and calmer than puppies and kittens that are curious, eager to investigate their environment, and have boundless energy. Although usually more mellow than their younger counterparts, most senior pets still enjoy walks through the neighborhood, a good game of fetch or ball chasing, and other family-related activities.
- A basic training foundation is already established. Housebreaking and basic obedience skills like sit, stay, and come are second nature to senior dogs and senior cats are already litterbox trained. They’ll most likely need a little help adapting to your family’s lifestyle and schedule but usually adjust quickly. It’s also important to acquaint your senior cat with its litterbox location(s) so it knows where it’s appropriate to eliminate.
- They need fewer routine veterinary services. Puppies and kittens need a series of vaccination appointments to protect them and others from communicable diseases until they are four months old. In addition, they’ll also need spay or neuter surgery at some point during their first year to prevent unwanted litters. Healthy senior pets have already received the veterinary services noted above and typically just need twice-yearly exams and laboratory testing to help our doctors identify medical conditions or diseases before they become serious.
- You could be saving its life. Senior pets are usually more difficult to adopt out as most families prefer to adopt younger animals. Many times overcrowded and/or underfunded shelters have no choice but to euthanize healthy older “difficult to adopt” pets who are taking up space that could be used by a more adoptable pet. Adopting a senior pet saves not only its life, but makes room for another homeless pet to be adopted.
Our veterinarians and staff have extensive experience when it comes to caring for senior animals, and many have adopted or rescued homeless pets. For more information about senior companion animal veterinary care, please call us at (630)598-0600.