Benefits of Senior Pets and How to Care for Them

Here at Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund we love pets of all shapes and sizes but this month we want to give some special attention to a very important group of pets”senior pets.

While we love puppy breath and kitten cuddles, there are a lot of benefits to adopting or owning a senior pet that include:

  • They don’t generally require as much–or any–training
  • They don’t need to be constantly monitored
  • They’re calmer than younger pets
  • They generally do well with children and senior citizens
  • Their personalities are generally more apparent and it can make the adoption selection process simpler
  • They’re already well socialized and can fit into your home easier
  • They can form deep connections with you, just as a puppy or a kitten might
  • Depending on breed and lifestyle, they may need less exercise than younger pets

But the most important benefit that comes from adopting a senior pet is that you become that pet’s hero. Statistically, senior dogs and cats stay in shelters and rescues 4x as long as their younger counterparts, so by adopting one and giving it a loving home you’re literally saving its life.

While every animal is unique and has its own individual personality, it can take a new senior pet a little while to settle in at their new home, anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. They may have had a previous owner that was gone a lot and they need to adjust to having someone home all the time (especially in these pandemic times). Or maybe they need to adjust to there being another pet in their new home that they didn’t grow up with. Whatever it is, just be sure to give your new senior furbaby some time and space and any other support they may need to settle into their new home.

Once you bring your new senior into the family, following just a few simple guidelines will give you many more years of companionship and love!

Please Make a box or something of the points called œtips for caring for senior pets from the old article

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month so if you’re considering adopting a fur kid for you and your family, there’s no better time! If you’re fortunate enough to already have a senior dog or cat at home, give it some extra love and attention and appreciate the time you have left together.

For detailed instructions on welcoming a new senior pet into your family, see:

Welcoming a New Old Dog to Your Home
Consider Adopting a Senior Cat

 

https://olddoghaven.org/welcoming-a-new-old-dog-to-your-home/

https://blog.petcube.com/age-before-beauty-adopting-mature-cats/