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.