Next month, on the day after Christmas, my “puppy” Kitsune will be turning 13 years old! He was the original inspiration behind me starting this blog, way back in 2012 – when Kit was just 2 years old. Sharing the past almost 13 years with Kitsune has taught me a lot, one of the probably more important lessons being how amazing living with a senior dog can be!
Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month?
If you are looking for a new pet that might be a bit more well behaved, why not consider a senior? Finding the right older pet to join your family may mean avoiding things such as having to potty train, and behaviors such as chewing and nipping. Even if your new friend does have a few unwanted behaviors, it’s a myth that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!
The Benefits Of Adopting An Older Pet
With an adult pet, usually what you see is what you get. You don’t have to worry about trying to guess at how big your puppy will grow to be, or how he/she will behave. Senior animals have left the hormonal stages of their youth behind them, meaning that their personalities aren’t as likely to change once you get them home. Plus, some older pets will already know things like basic manners and commands. Also, older pets often have lower exercise demands, which can make caring for them a bit easier.
There are some concerns with adopting an older animal, such as the medical conditions that can sometimes come with aging. However, usually the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives!
In the past, I hate to admit, I was one of the many people who would have, more likely than not, passed up adopting a senior animal in favor of a younger one. Now having experienced the adoring love of older pets first hand, I’d love to someday take in an older animal in need. I think it’s just heartbreaking that so many older, gentle souls find themselves in animal shelters – especially those of them who have grown old surrounded by family.
November, and thus Adopt a Senior Pet Month, may already be almost over, but it’s never too late to consider making the golden years of a senior pet happy ones! Adopt a senior pet and you will be saving a life, and gaining a new best friend. Next time you’re ready to open up your heart and home to a new pet, perhaps consider whether an older animal might be right for you. Comment below! Do you share your life with a senior animal? Have you ever adopted a older animal and, if so, what was your experience like?
15 Comments
I didn’t know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month.
I have always loved the senior dog that come to my local dog shelter, honestly I don’t understand why so many people overlook senior pets, I would have loved to adopt a senior dog(I’m not saying I don’t love Zoey) but I could not due to Pumpkin not really liking adult dogs and because I need a dog for 4h Agility for the next 4-5 year and I don’t think many senior dogs would be able to do that.
I think I’ll always be a fan of puppies. I also enjoy staying active with my dogs – we hike, do agility, doggy freestyle, etc. I enjoy getting animals when they are young and being able to experience their whole (or most of) life journey with them. It makes caring for them as seniors all the more special. I also feel like, as of late, I have a new appreciation for senior pets and I will for sure never understand how anyone could raise an animal for years and years and then just give it up when it gets old.
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I would prefer a senior pet and would adopt one without hesitation. Why? They are genuinely grateful, ready to give every ounce of love and commit to you in every way.
Our Harvey was adopted at 9 and even with his tough background and being a kidney cat he lived with us 9 more years. He enriched our lives and was a massively great gift to us. I miss him daily.
Senior pets are awesome! That’s awesome that Harvey lived with you for 9 years after being adopted as an older cat. Thankfully, pets seem to be living longer and longer so often, even if they are adopted as seniors, they’ll still have many happy years to spend bringing joy to their new families.
I did not know that November is an Adopt a Senior Pet Month–I do know. You’re absolutely right that with a senior pet what you see is what you get.
My little girl is officially a senior; where does the time go?
Right? It goes way too fast! I can’t get over that my Kitsune is almost 13.
I share my life with a senior kitty! My Manna (whom I adopted at 3.5 weeks old) is now 15 years old. She is an amazing cat! I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She was a wild and crazy kitten, but in the last few years, she has become a calm lapcat. I think that senior pets are definitely a better choice for many households.
For sure! I think I’ll always love the craziness of younger pets, but there’s something so special about seniors. How amazing that Manna is 15 now! It sounds like she’s really enjoying her golden years with you.
My dog Henry is now considered a senior pup. Although, most days he still acts like a pup. I adopted him about 4.5 years ago. I love that he was past the puppy stage and I didn’t have to go through that part. I knew he was a chill dog and I knew his size. I also knew he definitely wanted to be my buddy. What more can you ask for? I think I’m also past the puppy stage. Whenever I get Henry a playmate, it will be an adult dog as well. They are awesome!
Mine both still act like pups in many ways too, even though they are 6 and almost 13 now. I think a lot of people think of senior dogs as lazy and boring, but that has been far from my experience so far. It amazes me sometimes how much energy my Kitsune still has!
I would absolutely adopt a senior pet. I wasn’t planning on adopting a cat when I met Lexy at Petco, so I wasn’t thinking about age. But she was about 1 1/2 and had spent about half of her life in the shelter already, so home she went. When I was looking for a friend for her I was planning on an older cat, but along came seven month old Lola and the rest is history.
Sometimes the right pets just seem to find us, and in those cases age isn’t really a big consideration. 🙂 It sounds like that was the case with Lexy and Lola, and I’m sure they’re living the good life together with you!
Senior pets are awesome! We currently have 3 senior dogs (one was around 5 when we adopted him) and a kitten that my sister rescued. I would adopt a senior pet in the future.
Aw, same! In the past I would have totally gone for younger dogs/puppies but after seeing how awesome senior dogs can be I’d totally consider adopting one in the future too.