We all want loving, comfortable surroundings for our golden years, right? So do the wise and wonderful senior animals awaiting adoption in area shelters! If pet adoption is in your future, consider opening your home to a much-deserving senior pet.
At Clairmont Animal Hospital, we offer a full range of senior pet care services to help you optimize your senior pet’s health and longevity, and we can make recommendations regarding dietary changes, advanced medical options for pain management, and suggest creature comforts to add to your home to make your senior pet feel pampered and safe.
10 Reasons to Open Your Home to a Senior Pet
If you’re ready to adopt a new pet, consider these advantages of giving a furever home to an older dog or cat:
- She still has plenty of love and life to give. That beautiful, 11-year-old calico may live to be 18 or 19 years old, and that adorable 5-year-old mixed-breed dog could live to be 10 or 15.
- What you see is what you get! Senior cats and dogs have fully developed personalities, so you will know if her temperament is a good fit in your household. Plus, they’re full grown, so you’ll know exactly which size pet bed to purchase!
- The kinks have been worked out. Senior animals have been spayed or neutered, potty trained, and already know common house rules. For instance, senior cats may already know to use a scratching post — not your new sofa — and senior dogs know that bones are for chewing; slippers are for wearing.
- They’re usually pretty chill. If you’re looking for a lap kitty or a calm dog to watch TV with, older animals are the way to go!
- They’re abundantly appreciative. Senior adoptees tend to be genuinely grateful for being rescued and given a stable home for their golden years.
- They’ve mastered social graces. Senior pets that have lived in a home are socialized and can adapt more readily to your family dynamic. She will understand how to bond with the humans (and possibly other animals) in her midst, and she will make herself right at home!
- They’re typically less destructive. Older dogs are less likely to dig through the trash, and senior cats have matured beyond the curtain-scaling stage.
- Great minds think alike. Senior animals make great companions for senior people! Their calm demeanors mean they appreciate life at a slower pace and welcome short, leisurely walks over 5ks.
- Old dogs can learn new tricks. Mature dogs are actually easier to train than new puppies because their attention spans are longer. Senior dogs can also become wonderful therapy dogs.
- You’re saving more than one life. Older animals, sadly, tend to wait the longest in shelters. By giving an older pet a second chance, you free up space in the shelter for another deserving animal. Plus, studies have shown that caring for a pet can lower your blood pressure, and alleviate stress and anxiety.
When you’re ready to adopt your senior pet, we’re here to help! Contact us at (404) 633-6163 to schedule your senior pet care exam.