6 Reasons To Adopt A Senior Pet

November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month! This is a wonderful—and important—cause. Older animals often have a very hard time getting adopted. It’s just too hard for them to compete with kittens and puppies. However, dogs and cats in their golden years can be really cute. Plus, they have some wonderful qualities that many people really haven’t considered. A Yorkville, IL vet lists some of them in this article.

They’re Calm

Young dogs and cats are adorable, but they can also be a handful. Fluffy and Fido need a lot of enrichment in those first several years, and can be quite frisky. Older pets, however, are content to quietly nap at your feet or on your lap.

No Surprises

When you get a puppy or kitten, you can’t really say for certain what your furry friend will look like as an adult, or how big they’ll get. Size is particularly important with dogs. Fido’s size can have a huge effect on your housing options, especially if you’re renting. This isn’t an issue with senior pets: you know exactly what you’re getting.  

Prior Training

Chances are, an older dog or cat that is up for adoption has been a pet before. They’ll have a pretty good idea of what is expected of them. Senior dogs are usually already trained and housebroken. Bonus!

Less Destruction

By the time Fluffy and Fido reach their retirement years, they’ll most likely have outgrown destructive behaviors like chewing sofas and digging up flowerbeds. That’s a huge plus! 

Lower Activity Needs

Younger animals are often quite zoomy and playful. This is fun, but it also means you’ll need to spend a lot of time entertaining and exercising your furry friend. Senior pets are usually more interested in chasing Z’s than chasing squirrels. That makes them a great match for people who aren’t highly active themselves.

Shorter Commitment

Senior pets don’t have as much time as puppies or kittens, so the overall commitment is typically shorter. We know, it can be sad to realize you may not have much time with your new furry pal. However, there is a lot to be said for taking in a sweet senior pet that just wants love, care, and attention, and just giving them a wonderful retirement. Many people find this to be a beautiful and rewarding—if bittersweet—experience.

Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Feel free to contact us, your Yorkville, IL pet hospital, anytime!