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  • The Downsides of Adopting an Old Dog

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    I recently wrote an article about the reasons why you should consider adopting an older dog. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here.

    If you are able, adopting an older dog may be the best thing you can do. However, it isn’t for everyone. You must decide for yourself and your family whether it is the right decision. There are some downsides to consider.

    Here are some reasons why you might not want to adopt an older dog.

    Older dogs are often set in their ways. 

    If they have always been a barker, you are not going to be able to change that. You may also struggle if they urinate everywhere to mark their territory, beg for food, or exhibit other habits that you may not want to deal with.

    It can be really hard to potty-train an older dog. 

    If you get a dog that has spent its whole life outdoors, you may struggle with potty training. He or she may always go to the bathroom in your home, because they never had to hold it.

    You may also end up dealing with incontinence issues. 

    As dogs age, they are more likely to have urinary problems. You may be looking at dogs that leak when they sleep (which you may be able to help), as well as dogs that dribble urine as they walk around your home.

    And other health issues. 

    Just like humans, older dogs often experience numerous health issues. This can be as simple as vision and hearing loss, though you may also find yourself dealing with arthritis and kidney or liver problems. It isn’t always cheap to treat some of these conditions.

    You may notice that an older dog takes longer to settle into your home. 

    It takes time for any dog (or cat) to adjust to a new home, but you may notice that your older dog may not feel at home for several weeks (or even months).

    You also won’t have your dog as long as you would a puppy. 

    Though puppies can die young, most of the time, older dogs don’t have as long to live as one that you would get when they are a puppy. It can be heartbreaking to fall in love with a dog and only have them for a year or two.

    Though you may want to give an older dog a good life, the truth is that it might not be right for you and your family. Not only will you only have him or her for a short time (compared to a puppy), but you may also struggle with teaching him or her new tricks. Potty training can be particularly challenging for older dogs, and some may even lose their ability to control their bladder. You may also find yourself dealing with health problems that can be quite costly to treat!

    ***

    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Reason to Adopt an Older Dog

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    I recently wrote an article about why an older cat may be a better fit for you and your family than a kitten. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here.

    The same could be said of older dogs. You and your family may want to consider helping an older dog enjoy the rest of its life with a family, rather than living in a kennel.

    Unsure about what you should do? Here are some reasons to consider an older dog instead of a puppy.

    You could save a life.

    The truth is that most older dogs don’t get adopted, as quickly as younger dogs and puppies. In fact, they have about a twenty-five percent adoption rate, compared to the sixty percent that young adults and puppies have.

    Though most people assume older dogs have problems, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are times when their owners had to move and couldn’t take them. Sometimes their owners die and there is nobody who is able to take them in.

    In fact, you most likely will get a fully-trained dog. 

    Older dogs are usually housebroken, so you won’t have to worry about messes in your home. They are usually able to walk on a leash and know a few basic commands, such as sit.

    You know exactly what you are getting. 

    When you get a puppy from a shelter, most of the time they can only guess what breed your new puppy is. This means that the cute little puppy you adopted may turn into thirty, fifty, or over one hundred pounds! When you get an adult, you know exactly how big they are going to get because they are done growing!

    You also have a good idea of their temperament. 

    Though the dog may be scared at the shelter, you will be able to get a good idea of how he or she is going to behave. You may be able to find a calm dog who would just be happy to lay beside you on the couch in the evenings.

    Puppies can be destructive. 

    Puppies go through a lot of stages, including the teething stage where you can’t leave them alone for even a second! They will chew anything that they can get in their mouth (and then some)!

    They can also be destructive when they are playing. They can mess up furniture with their jumping and running around. Puppies often knock things off of counters, as well as overturn objects while they are running throughout the house.

    Though activity is a good thing, the truth is that older dogs are less likely to be destructive to your home. A good walk or two and some ball playing should be enough activity for your older friend.

    This can often make them better pets for young children. 

    Young children can be hard on puppies. They may pick them up and carrying them around, dropping them or hurting them. Though your older dog may need some care due to arthritis, your children will be able to play with him or her.

    It might be cheaper to adopt an older dog. 

    Many shelters don’t charge as much for older pets as they do for their younger versions. In fact, there are some places that waive any fees if you are willing to take an older dog into your home!

    If you have decided to open up your home to another dog, you may want to look at an older one. You could save a life by adopting him or her. You are also going to have a good idea of what you are going to get. An older dog is already fully grown, so you don’t have to worry that your sweet little puppy has Great Dane in him or her! His or her behavior isn’t likely to change either, so you can decide what temperament you need to have in your life.

    You also won’t have to worry about going through the teething and potty training stages, which can be very destructive and time-consuming. Instead, you might just have a dog who loves to lay beside you on the couch. Even better, it may cost you less to adopt an older dog. You may even be able to take one for free!

    ***

    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.