Many people looking to add a new furry family member can get stuck in the young animal zone. This is understandable, especially if you want to be highly involved in training and socialization from a young age. Not everyone wants to tackle housetraining or intense play/exercise time every day, however. Some pet owners simply want a dependable, sweet companion to share time with. Senior pets, or animals over age 7, can be wonderful additions to a slower-paced household.
November is National Pet Adoption Month. If you’ve ever wondered if you should adopt a senior pet, we’ve got some great insights into the invaluable experience of living with an older cat or dog.
What You See, What You Get
Older pets know what they’re doing. They know what they want and how to get it. They have life experience that informs their day-to-day behavior and even influences their personality.
Senior pets are house trained, recognize their own name, understand various commands or words, and come fully equipped to handle life in a new home. That doesn’t mean that all senior pets assimilate without a hitch, but they can draw on previously-developed skills to move forward.
When you adopt a senior pet, you might know a range of their history. Some pets arrive at the shelter with little or no knowledge of their previous owner, environment, or lifestyle. Other golden oldies (depending on the circumstances) might have some likes/dislikes documented, experience with kids or other animals, and potential stressors related to earlier experiences.
Passing Grade
Before you adopt a senior pet, it’s highly likely that your local shelter will conduct a thorough assessment of breed, personality, disposition, and behavior. Again, previous owner insights may be available. These reports will be critical to your decision, and help to reduce the rate of repeated surrendering and re-homing attempts.
Less Stress
An older pet that needs a new home has arrived at this junction by no fault of their own. No matter the circumstances that put them there, senior pets in shelters or rescues know what it’s like to have a home taken away from them. When you adopt a senior pet, you are giving them a new lease on life and they often seem to know it.
Most owners of senior pets notice certain behaviors that are perceived as gratefully. The delightful devotion of all senior pets, but especially those that have received a second chance, is nothing less than incredible. They show their owner’s consistency, friendship, and rarely veer outside the lines of the loving qualities shared by all of the very best pets.
There’s Still Time
Modern advancements in veterinary medicine, paired with responsible pet ownership, have influenced both longevity and quality of life. This means that when you adopt a senior pet, you can still expect to enjoy many years together. Depending on their breed, medical history, and lifestyle, some pets can live up to 15 or 20 years! We would be honored to help your senior pet enjoy the longest, healthiest, happiest life possible.
Please Adopt a Senior Pet
It’s hard to compete with a senior pet’s warmth, comfort, and easy-going nature. If you have any questions or concerns about bringing home an older animal, please call us at (712) 623-5511 (Red Oak) or (712) 826-5522 (Vilisca). Our team at Oak Valley Animal Health is always happy to help!