Our shelters are full of pets of every age, breed, and size. They’re all deserving of safe, loving homes, but often the older pets, the seniors, are overlooked.
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. If you’re ready to add a new dog to your household, there are so many reasons to consider adopting a senior pet. These are just a few that I’m sharing with you today.
5 Reasons To Adopt A Senior Dog
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- What you see is what you get with a senior dog. You already know its size, its grooming needs, its personality, and its temperament. With a puppy, these are all unknowns, but with an older dog, you can be sure you’re getting exactly the kind of dog that will fit best into your lifestyle.
- Many senior dogs are already housebroken and know basic commands. Generally, they don’t need the extensive training that a puppy requires. And by the way, it’s not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. You most certainly can!
- Senior pets are typically much less destructive than puppies. They’ve already gone through the “chewing stage”, so you won’t have to worry about your shoes, furniture, and newspaper. Your senior dog most likely won’t be interested!
- If you lead an “low impact” life, a senior dog will fit right in. They don’t usually require a lot of exercise, and they’re happy to cuddle on the couch.
- Senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters. They’re the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. You truly are saving a life when you adopt a senior dog.
No dog deserves to die in a cold, lonely shelter, and a senior dog deserves better in her golden years. She will truly be grateful that you rescued her, and even though your time together might be short, I believe you’ll find a certain contentedness with your older companion.
Have YOU ever adopted an older pet? I’d love to hear about your experience in comments below!
BoingyDog says
August 3, 2013 at 3:08 amGreat post and I completely agree! My first dog Lucky wasn’t considered senior when I got her but she was older and was housebroken, obedience trained and was just an amazing dog all around!
Christina Berry says
August 12, 2013 at 1:59 pmThere’s definitely advantages to adopting older dogs, even if like yours, they’re not quite seniors. Thanks for visiting!
Daniela Nicoletta says
August 5, 2016 at 4:47 amMost of my dogs and cats are seniors There was only one puppy now grown to be 18 month-old and He actually destroyed most of my pad while growing up LOL I most certainly can bear witness as to what was told above Besides older pets who have suffered are so very sweet and full of love to give And if You are loving enoygh they will gain the lost energy as well be cause energy and joy are something they always have when their life is considered as worth by us humans
Pup Fan says
August 4, 2013 at 10:29 pmYay for senior pets!
Christina Berry says
August 12, 2013 at 1:58 pmYay!
Kimberly Gauthier says
August 7, 2013 at 7:47 pmThank you for writing this amazing post. I think we should adopt them, because they would adopt us. Dogs would never toss their humans aside.
Christina Berry says
August 12, 2013 at 1:58 pmYou’re so right, Kimberly. Dogs are so much more loyal than their human counterparts, sadly.
Nanny McFur says
August 15, 2013 at 10:43 amAdopting a senior dog or cat would be very rewarding for the pet and the pet parent! They have so much love to give.
Luana says
November 11, 2013 at 8:43 pmI have 6 cats and 2 dogs. At the time I was looking for a Main Coon kitten. I went to a shelter there was a older cat 15 yrs old to be exact and she was in the needy caged in area. She would follow me from 1 end to the other. Finally I spoke to my husband and we decided on her. We named her Mandy and she had crystals in her urinary tract. Her owners gave he up because she would not pea in the litter box. The poor kitty was a much loved addition to the family and she was always at my side. She lived another 5 years with our family and at 20 yrs old she passed on from old age. The ext animals will be older animals. All 4 of my cats are from the outside. Then Mandy and KK they both dies from old age. And my beautiful Main Coon died at 15 yrs ran into a tire. And 1 more Casper died as a maybe 1 yr old He came down sick with what I had and by the time we knew he died in my arms. I miss all my precious pets very much.
Luana
Michelle Liew says
August 29, 2013 at 8:17 amWell said!
Sabrina says
November 18, 2013 at 9:31 pmWe adopted a 15 year old last year from Roane County shelter! She’s been so great and such an asset to the family! She keeps the younger dog in the house company and the younger no longer has separation anxiety!
Terri says
November 22, 2013 at 2:12 pmSenior dogs are GREAT !!!! Most if not all are already housebroken for one thing. I adopted 13 yo Missy in 02/2009 and she is the absolute BEST dog ever!!!
Anandan Konar says
November 27, 2013 at 4:11 amVery valid pointers. Specially the last one, Everyone gets attracted to the enthusiastic, jumping puppies and the senior dogs get felt behind. Well I did not adopt any dog from the shelter but I do take care of the stray dogs in my street of which 2 are senior dogs.
Lee says
November 27, 2013 at 4:29 amI adopted my last Dog when she was 10 & lived 3 years.If you had developed CHF then I probably would have had 3 extra years as is typical of JRT’s.I like to adopt older Dogs but to loose them to soon hurts a lot & unless the Dog completely seems right for me,I cannot take a Dog that I will loose in a few years.I also NEVER put a dog to sleep despite what a vet says;afterall, they can no more read a dogs mind than you can!
Sharon Jennings says
November 27, 2013 at 8:20 amI already had two big rescue dogs and two cats, so I was fostering dogs short term until they could get on a transport or their rescue could find them a foster home. Then I was asked to foster a small dog until transport could be arranged to the rescue in PA. She spent a few months with me with two weekend home visits that didn’t work out – because she didn’t want to play and snored. I guess I should tell you she’s a shiz zu mix and she was 11 when she came to me. The rescue did adoptions of senior dogs to senior citizens with no adoption fee. Anyway….after two failed home visits and the fact that she was so excited to see me at the end of each, I finally decided that she was meant to stay with me. I didn’t need a dog that played and her snoring did not bother me at all because I have a very hectic life with work, pets, transports, family, etc. She’ll be 14 soon and she dances when it’s time to eat, she loves car rides and after months and months of never barking, she has picked up the habit from my other two dogs and she’s the first one to bark when I come home from work. I wouldn’t trade her being in my life for anything. Don’t get me wrong, I love my other two just as much as her, but she makes my life complete and she makes me laugh every day. And she goes to the vet less than the others! Go figure. Seniors have so much love to give. I think everyone should have at least one in their life.
Jessica Smith says
November 27, 2013 at 10:16 amNot to mention most of them need a loving home.
Melissa Barthold says
November 27, 2013 at 11:49 amTwo of our 4 dogs are seniors. Only one started with us as a puppy….and I spent 12 months reminding myself that I should have adopted another senior!!! I love my seniors — especially our oldest one. Mr. Cody is just the most loving, sweetest dog I’ve ever known. We got him from Lab Rescue…and I can’t tell you how many people have wanted to adopt him …..from us!!!! As IF I’d let my puppy go anywhere else!!!! He’s OUR dog!!! And we promised him is furever home –and we’ll stick to that promise.
Katie says
November 27, 2013 at 3:06 pmCompletrly agree. We adopted our Golden, Snuggy, when she was 11. She’s pretty low energy, which is great for my busy lifestyle. She’s healthier and happier than when we got her, almost 2 years ago. She loves to be petted for a half hour at a time, which I love!
debra miller says
November 27, 2013 at 4:11 pmI love older cats. They are slow
Like I am and really appreciate your attention. My girls lived to ages 22 and 23. I think Taffy, the 23 year old would still be here if cancer hadn’t taken her. She had spunk and was a fabulous lap cat who loved to snuggle, especially in bed.
Judith Curran says
November 28, 2013 at 2:00 amI adopted a 7 year old Italian Greyhound whose owners were going into an assisted living facility and could not keep her. She was petrified at being at a shelter. From the time she got in my car until the day she died, over 7 years later, she was bonded to me and became my heart. I did have to work on her housebreaking some as IGs are notoriously bad on going outside in the cold and wet but it didn’t matter. I was so devastated when I lost her that I adopted another senior girl from IG rescue within 6 months. This one was a puppy mill mama and not real sure of people. It took several months for her to adjust to us but she now sleeps under the covers. Seniors and rescues are wonderful.
LoyaltyOfDogs says
November 29, 2013 at 12:52 amSomeone once observed that in our “throwaway” society, a dog only survives to five years of age by learning behaviors that please people No wonder senior dogs make such wonderful companions; they have spent their entire lives learning good “people skills.”
Robyn says
March 27, 2014 at 8:42 amI adopted a senior Brittany. She’s 10 years old. Got her when she was 9.5! She was used as a hunting dog, so shes pretty well trained. This old girl has so much spunk I always get asked if she is a puppy or if she is “going to get much bigger”! She requires a little maintenance, some Cosequin for her joints (a little arthritis from a working life) and a prescription dog food for her kidneys. But I could not have made a better choice in this girl. I adopted her direct from her previous owner, as he needed to place her. She has to walk every single day (more than around the block!) to keep her happy – otherwise she gets a little destructive. Indoor plants beware!
Best decision I have ever made. A little maintenance and a lot of exercise are a small price to pay for such a loyal and overall amazing animal. She truly is the best girl.
Joan Hodgson says
June 1, 2015 at 3:40 pmAn sos call from my local vet put me in contact with Zenta (aka the black witch) She was due to be put to sleep as her owner was in his late eighties & was terminally ill.She was 11 years old at that time.I had made it clear that there was always room on my sofa for an elderly dog in need of a home.So off i went to collect her.Well i had never seen anything so ugly in all my life.I called her my black rat with long legs.It did’nt take long for me to find out she had fits (petty mals) was as deaf as a doornail & would not stop barking.Some elderly dogs come with mental scars & you have to find a way round it.If Zenta thought she was in trouble she was on the defensive & would show me a full set of teeth.Dogs do not tell lies so she was telling me someone had been heavy handed towards her.She lived untill she was 16 years, was still noisy but full of character &.would adore me with those beautifull big black eyes.When i lost the old trout i missed her so much the house was silent & that really bothered me.would i take on another oldie?Oh yes,its not what they can do for you but what you can do for them.I filled her last five year of life with warmth comfort & love.What can be more satifying than that.
Linda Templeton says
September 27, 2015 at 7:00 pmFor many years now I have adopted older and unwanted dogs and I have never been disappointed. These dogs are so loyal and so willing to be a part of our family. Sure some of them have problems, the beautiful Blue Heeler we have now was adopted at age 8 from a family who seem to have given her away and taken her back so often she really didnt know where she belonged. But the benefits far outweigh the issues we fix together. I love older dogs and I love knowing that we make their last years ones that are full of fun and peace and love. No one can ask for better dogs than the ones I have had the priviledge of belonging to.
BRi Jones says
October 31, 2017 at 1:09 amThis article makes my heart so warm, there are some many elderly dogs in shelters that need adopted. It breaks my heart to know that 90% of them get over looked. They have not don’t anything wrong, many of them end up in the shelter because their owners no longer want to care for them. Just because a dog gets older doesn’t mean you toss them to the side. A dog is a commitment for life, not something you get rid of the first sign of sickness. All a dog wants in life is to be with its master, they live and breathe to be near us each and every day. They are sad when they are not around up. I wish I could take in every dog and give them the loving home they so deserve. Thank you for the article