Reasons To Consider Adopting a Senior Pet

Are you prepared to bring a new pet into your home? Many people choose young animals while looking for a new companion. We certainly understand why: puppies and kittens are both adorable and entertaining. There’s something to be said for raising your pet yourself. However, senior pets still have a lot to offer! Continue reading as a local Lexington, VA veterinarian discusses some of the benefits of adopting an older pet.

Older Dogs Are Calmer

We all know that puppies and kittens are quite playful. This is obviously adorable to watch. However, there is a drawback. At this stage, pets are typically rather … rambunctious, to say the least. They get into anything and everything, and need plenty of toys and attention. A younger pet will require a significant amount of pet parenting in order to keep them amused and out of trouble. Older pets are mostly just interested in napping.

Saving A Life

Adopting older animals can be challenging. Many people simply pass them over in favor of younger animals. While some shelters have implemented a no-kill policy, this is not a universal practice.

There is no definite statistic for how many pets are euthanized in shelters each year, but estimates range from 378,000 to one million. Given that many shelters only allow pets to be adopted for a limited time, elderly animals have a slim chance of ever leaving. Saving a pet’s life is an extremely powerful experience that can have a lasting impact on your life.

No Surprises

When you have a puppy or kitten, you can basically only guess what they will look like when they grow up. You won’t be able to predict how big Fido will get, especially if you adopt a mongrel. That can be a major issue, particularly for renters, as many areas have size restrictions. You also won’t have a good idea of their personality. Every pet, like every person, is unique! There is no guesswork involved when dealing with an elderly animal. What you see is what you will get!

Prior Experience

Another advantage of adopting animals in their senior years? They are often already trained. There are numerous benefits to being able to avoid housebreaking! Cats, of course, do not require actual training—they usually train us, not the other way around. However, they do need to understand the do’s and don’ts of being a good kitty.

Calm Demeanor

Puppies and kittens are adorable and energetic, but they can also be a handful. You may find yourself continuously removing small Fluffy from your curtains or preventing little Fido from chewing on your shoes.

Older animals are much easier in this regard. They’ve passed their zoomies and are usually past any rowdy behaviors like digging and gnawing. They truly only want to sleep, eat, and snuggle.

Unconditional Love

Pets are highly intelligent and intuitive. They also frequently serve as mirrors, reacting to how they are handled. They recognize when someone has been helpful to them and are often extremely thankful. In fact, you might melt the first time your new friend glances up at you with those soulful eyes!

Shorter Commitments

This one is bittersweet. Older pets have less time with us than younger ones. Adopting a puppy or kitten means committing to at least a decade of pet ownership. Senior animals simply don’t have as much time. That can be advantageous for some. If you don’t know where you’ll be in 10 years, or if you intend to go to college for eight years before moving cross-country, an older animal may be the right choice for your timeline.

Less Destructive

By the time Fluffy and Fido reach their senior years, they will have nearly run out of gas. Fluffy will be more interested in catching Z’s than in capturing mice, and Fido will most likely chase squirrels in his dreams rather than reality. Dogs will have outgrown many unpleasant habits, like digging and gnawing. Fluffy will still need to keep her nails sharp and will most likely want to bat little objects off your desk or coffee table. She probably won’t be motivated enough to climb the bookcase and knock everything off your dresser.

Save Money

Shelters frequently give elderly animals at a discount in order to boost their prospects of adoption. You may also save on veterinarian expenditures because Fido and Fluffy have most likely already been repaired. Keep in mind that they may require additional veterinarian care as they age. Contact your Lexington, VA veterinarian for further information.

They’re Cute

Although kittens and puppies are adorable, older pets can also be extremely appealing. There’s something heartwarmingly adorable about seeing a sophisticated pooch politely request pets or cookies, or seeing Fluffy blissfully napping in her favorite sunbeam.

Sweet Demeanor

Older animals often have a calm, friendly, affectionate disposition that makes them really very enjoyable to be around. Many of these men like attention and would simply close their eyes in happiness when you scratch an itch or touch their foreheads.

Set A Good Example

Adopting an elderly animal is, at the end of the day, a wonderful act of generosity. If you have children, this is an excellent method to teach them to grasp the value of empathy. Even if you don’t have children, this is an excellent way to set a good example.

Help Promote Good Animal Welfare

When you adopt an elderly animal, you are indirectly aiding other homeless pets. For one thing, you’ll be freeing up space at the shelter, allowing another loving dog or cat to find a home. Fluffy and Fido’s adoption fees will also assist the shelter provide food, shelter, and care for its other animal residents.

Find Your Perfect Match

Are you more of a calm, inside person? If so, a quiet, lovely elderly pet could be the ideal companion for you!

Book An Appointment At Our Lexington, VA Pet Clinic

Have you recently adopted an elderly pet? Please contact us for all of your pet’s veterinary requirements. As your Lexington, VA pet hospital, we’re here to help!