Nearly everyone agrees that puppies are cute. That’s why they usually don’t languish in shelters and animal rescues. However, for every wiggling bundle of puppy energy snatched up by an eager family, there’s an older dog that is still waiting for a home. Seniors in particular may be unwanted. People bond with their pets, and it can be upsetting to think that you may have only a few years or even less with your new friend.
The potential for serious medical issues and the cost of vet care is another consideration. However, there are also a lot of good reasons to tear yourself away from the young ones and take another look at that older canine that’s been around the block a few times. There are some real benefits in adopting an old dog.
Easy to Care For
It’s probably a good thing they are cute because puppies are a huge amount of work. Unlike kittens, puppies don’t arrive house-trained. Additionally, they shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods. Puppies need companionship and interaction, and while a kitten may claw your furniture or tear down your curtains, puppies can be particularly destructive when left on their own, starting with your favorite pair of shoes.
On top of that, they’re little balls of energy that need a lot of exercise. Depending on the breed that you get, puppies may also need additional training and socialization. Finally, you really don’t know what kind of personality a puppy is going to grow up to have.
With a senior dog, none of this is a concern. Their temperaments are set. They’re trained. They don’t want to be left alone for 24 hours, but they can be left for longer periods, and you can go to work without worrying about what they’ll get up to while you’re away. They tend to be mellow, and while some breeds may still need a fair amount of exercise, most of them are reasonably content with a much slower pace of life.
Essentially, adopting a senior allows you to skip over most of the frustrating and time-consuming aspects of dog ownership. If you’re looking for a new buddy to lie around on the couch with or you’re not particularly mobile, going older can be a great choice. You may also want to consider an older dog if you’re a first-time owner. A puppy, by contrast, can be overwhelming for a novice.
Consider Vet Care
It’s true that senior dogs are likely to need more vet care than younger animals, but keep in mind that there is no guarantee either way. Getting a pet is always a gamble. A puppy could develop issues early on that mean a lifetime of higher-priced vet care or could get an acute but expensive ailment at some point in its life. Meanwhile, a senior dog might go years without developing any serious issues. On the other hand, it’s not uncommon for senior pets to develop conditions that are complex and expensive to manage.
For this reason, you may want to look into vet financing, which gives you the opportunity to say yes to all the care that your new senior friend needs. You can arrange for manageable monthly payments with plans that stretch for as long as 60 months, including numerous APR options.
Shelters and rescues will usually be aware of any medical issues that their charges have and will let you know about them, so this will allow you to be somewhat prepared. However, regular checkups will still be particularly important since it could mean catching problems, such as kidney issues, early. This makes them easier to treat.
You’re Genuinely Helping Them
When you give a home to any domestic animal, you’re helping them out. However, chances are the younger ones are going to fly out the door. On the other hand, older dogs often go unadopted. Depending on the type of shelter they’re at, some spend their final season in a cage or end up being euthanized.
You can save them from that fate. This can be particularly compelling when you consider that often these are formerly beloved pets that their owners could no longer keep for some reason. You can give them a second chance and some happy golden years. This can be a truly rewarding experience for both you and your new pet.
Limited Time and Money Commitment
Adopting an older dog can mean facing some high vet bills sooner rather than later. However, if you’ve adopted a puppy, they’re going to get old eventually too, and you’ll end up with those same bills. Over a lifetime, you’re still going to save money with an older pet than with a young one. From food to toys and vaccinations to pet sitters, treats and more, having a dog for 15 years is going to cost you a lot more than having one for five. On top of that, some shelters waive or reduce the adoption fee for their older residents.
Another thing to consider is the commitment involved in adopting a young pet. While you can rehome a pet later and people often do when their circumstances change, ideally, you’re committing to taking care of your new animal friend for the duration of its entire life. Given the canine lifespan, this can mean some limitations over the next 15 years or so regarding where you live, when and where you travel, and simply how much time you’re able to spend away from home. An older animal represents a shorter-term commitment.
Preserve Your Furniture and Belongings
If you’re someone who prioritizes everything in your home looking just so, an animal that lives outside of an enclosure probably isn’t the right choice for you. However, even people who are fine with the rough and tumble nature of family pets might prefer to keep the carpet, the sofa and everything else in the house in decent condition. An older dog won’t shed any less than a younger one, but it’s also much less likely to soil your carpet, scratch your doors or chew up your sofa cushions.