November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. What could be better than to give a home to a pet that is less adoptable than others? The added bonus is that seniors make great pets. Win-win situation, I say.
Dogs are considered seniors when they are in the last 25-30% of their lives. So this would vary by the size of the dog, but the average is considered 7 and older. For cats the average is 8-10 years old.
That pretty much makes all of my own pets seniors. Our oldest is our beagle Kobi (12) and our cat Conrad(14). The oldest pretty much mostly just want to eat and sleep. The younger dogs, who are all 8 now, still love to play ball, though they have slowed down at it some. What I love about Kobi is that when I am home, he is always with me. He will follow me from room to room, up and down stairs, all day long. If I am working outside in my gardens, I will often bring him out and tie him up nearby (my gardens are outside of the dog pen), where he will be content just sniffing around, or lying in the sun and watching me. He is laying at my feet right now.
I love puppies and kittens, but all that energy can sometimes wear a person out. I get worn out enough just letting my dogs in and outside all day long, or throwing the ball until they finally get tired; at this time of year, thank goodness it gets dark early! The most energy I have to expend on Kobi is taking frequent trips to the corner cabinet where the treats are kept. Luckily that is close by to wear Conrad gets fed, because he would like to eat every two hours or so, thank you. Kobi and I also take easy walks….he doesn’t pull like he did when he was younger.
I do not miss the house training, or the constant cleaning up of destroyed toys, towels, dog beds, and bed clothes (our golden Moses loved to chew on comforters). Though we do still get some of that, since some dogs are just young at heart (golden retrievers especially I think). But I would not trade in my senior pets for a puppy or kitten, for anything.
What do senior pets like to do?
- Eat
- Sleep
- Hang Out (preferably with you)
- Eat some more
- Sleep with you
- Easy walks or car rides (dogs only)
What could be easier? So if you are looking to adopt, why not consider adopting a senior pet? Here is a link to the ASPCA’s Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog if you need more convincing, and would like to read some more logical reasons why you should do so.
I think senior pets are very loving….nothing makes them happier than to just be with you. Who doesn’t love that and want it in their lives?
I will be posting some senior pets that are up for adoption on my Facebook page for the rest of this month.
Also, check out this FB page: Hundenruhe Haven Senior Dog Sanctuary. This is a loving home for up to 20 small senior dogs, in Wisconsin. The dogs are so adorable, and their spokesdog is a toy fox terrier named Baci. I promise you will enjoy it.
Great post. Senior animals definitely make for wonderful pets, especially for someone looking for a lower-energy dog. Just because they are older, it doesn’t mean they don’t have something to give. If anything, they have more.