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  • Tips for Adopting an Older Dog

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    Adopting an older dog can be a great thing. I 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.

    That being said, there are some downsides to consider. If you haven’t had a chance to read my article about reasons why you might not want to get an older dog, you can read it here.

    If you decide that adopting an older dog is the right choice for you and your family, you need to have everything ready before you come home with a dog! Though this is true for every puppy and dog, there are some special things to consider when bringing home an older dog.

    Here are some tips to help you get ready.

    You will need to be patient with your new pet. 

    Most older dogs take a little longer to transition to a new home than younger ones. They may have spent years with the same person in the same house, and it will just take some time for them to get used to you and your home.

    Because of this, you will need to give him or her plenty of space. 

    Though love and attention are great, especially for those who have spent plenty of time in a kennel, it can be overwhelming for your new dog. In fact, you may notice that your new dog sleeps more than you would imagine.

    For this reason, you want to make sure that your new dog has a place where he or she can feel safe, such as a kennel or even a dog bed on the floor. Then, when he or she is there, you need to make sure that everyone leaves him or her alone.

    It is also important to remember that your dog may not act exactly like you expect him or her to. 

    Your dog may be grieving the only home that he or she knows, so don’t be surprised when you find out that the happy dog that you picked up isn’t as cheerful at your home. Over time, they may come around and become excited to see you.

    If you picked him or her up at a shelter, your new dog may have been scared and will act differently as they become comfortable in your home. He or she may have never barked in the kennel, but seems to do a lot of barking now that he or she is in a home!

    Ensure your home is prepared for your new dog. 

    Although most people think about puppy-proofing their homes, the truth is that all dogs need a safe place to call home. This means cleaning up the house and picking up anything that doesn’t need to be on the floor. You should store your cleaning supplies and other potentially toxic items out of reach of pets.

    When you bring home an older dog, you also need to assess the environment to identify potential issues that may cause them trouble. Do you have slippery steps that need something on them? You may want to place rugs on your slippery floors to help a dog with arthritis move around better.

    And your children are too! 

    Many children get so excited about a new dog that they can easily overwhelm it. Make sure they know that your new dog may be a little uncomfortable at first, and they need to be extra gentle when petting and playing with them.

    You need to be ready also! 

    Many people acquire an older dog as a way to replace the one they have just lost. Then, when this dog isn’t the same as the old one, they find themselves getting heartbroken all over again.

    Choose good senior food. 

    Senior food is formulated for the needs of older pets, so you should always make sure that you find food that is perfect for your new dog.

    Hopefully, he will come with the food that he or she is used to. If you are able, you may just want to keep him on it, since he or she is probably doing well on it. If you want to feed him or her something better, make sure that you do it gradually.

    It can take some time for an older dog to adjust to your new home. This may be even more true if she has always lived with one person and suddenly is a part of a family with children! You need to ensure that your home, children, and you are prepared.

    Your new dog is going to need his or her own space, which may include a crate or a bed that he or she can go to whenever needed. Your children will need to be gentle with him or her, as your new dog may have arthritis, which can be painful at times. You also need to be ready, because this new dog isn’t going to be the same as the one that you just lost!

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    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. 

  • 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!

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    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. 

  • You Made the Decision, Now What?

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    If your pet is older, you may be starting to face the reality that they aren’t getting any younger. You may even be facing the realization that your pet has a disease that isn’t going to get better. He or she may not be living the best life anymore, and you may be considering making a decision.

    Once you decide to euthanize your pet, you may be wondering what happens next. There may be some things you need to consider as well.

    Are you already facing the decision? Here are some tips to help you through the euthanasia process.

    It is important to make the decision and stick to it. 

    Many pets seem to have a really good day, as soon as you decide that it is time to put him or her to sleep. Let your pet enjoy that day, but don’t put it off too long. He or she may get even worse when the good day ends.

    If you’re struggling with the decision, you may want to read my article, ‘Is It Time to Say Goodbye.’ If you want to check it out, you can read it right here. 

    Figure out what you want to do with your pet’s body. 

    Not only do you need to make the decision, but you also need to determine what to do next. Burying your pet in your backyard may not be an option for you, depending on your life situation, so most clinics offer cremation services.

    You may choose to get your pet’s ashes back, though you may also decide not to. This may come down to cost; however, you may also need to decide what to do with your pet’s ashes. Do you want to share them with someone or keep them with you safely?

    Let everyone say goodbye. 

    You want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to say goodbye before you go to the veterinarian’s office. Some of your family and friends may want a chance to come over and say goodbye before it happens.

    Decide who needs to be there. 

    At the veterinarian’s office, we see it all. There are some pets who only have me by their side during the process, while others bring their whole families. You have to decide who you want in the room when your pet goes to sleep.

    If you are single, you may not want to be alone. Don’t be afraid to ask a family member or friend to go with you. If you have a spouse, he or she may also want to be there, even if your spouse has to take off work. If you have children, you may need to decide whether you want them to be there or not.

    Our veterinarian uses a sedative prior to giving the euthanasia solution. 

    This allows the pet to fully relax before administering the medication to put them to sleep. Some people only stay until their pet is sleeping before they leave. Many people with children allow them to be present until it is time to give the actual medication.

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    Making the decision to end your pet’s suffering can be very difficult. You may want to have a frank conversation with your veterinarian to see where everything stands. He or she may be able to give you some more time with your pet or help you come to the realization that it may be time.

    Then, you need to give yourself time to say goodbye. Don’t forget to consider any family or friends who may also want to spend some time with your pet. You may also have to decide who you want to be with you. Many people have to think long and hard about whether they want their children around. This is a very personal decision, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It may also depend on your children. Some may want to be there, while others may not.

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

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

  • Is It Time to Say Goodbye?

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    As pet parents, we want the best for our beloved pets. You want them to live their best life. You may also want your pet to live forever. That being said, we all know that eventually we are going to have to say goodbye to our beloved pet.

    Even worse, you may be waiting for your pet to go on his or her own, only to have to make the decision to put him or her to sleep. It can be a very hard decision to make, and one that shouldn’t be made lightly.

    Unsure about what to do? Here are some things to consider when determining if it is the right time to put your pet to sleep.

    Does your pet have a terminal illness? 

    If your pet has a terminal illness, and you don’t feel like he or she has a good quality of life anymore, it may be the right time.

    However, an illness doesn’t always mean that you have to put your pet to sleep. He or she may be able to have a decent quality of life for a few weeks or even months, so that shouldn’t be your only determining factor. Many veterinarians will prescribe some medications to keep your pet as comfortable as possible while you decide what you want to do. Some would rather try to medicate than simply give up.

    Can you afford to treat your pet? 

    As a veterinary professional, I often find that this comes down to money. If your pet needs to have an operation that you can’t afford, you might have to make the painful decision to put him or her down. That being said, your veterinarian may be able to offer you some alternatives, so that is not your only option.

    Is your pet eating and enjoying life? 

    At my practice, we always look at the pet’s quality of life. If they are still eating and seem to be enjoying life, there is no reason to euthanize them. However, once they stop eating, moving around, and trying to play, you can see that your pet is suffering and isn’t happy.

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    Does he or she seem to be happy? 

    Many people feel like they need to put their pets to sleep when they start to slow down. They may have trouble getting up and tend to move more slowly than they used to. However, they still enjoy going outside to go to the bathroom and spending time with you. There are many medications that can help keep your pet comfortable, even as they age.

    Is your pet losing weight? 

    Many pets have digestive problems which cause them to lose weight, no matter how much they eat. Their bodies are starving due to a lack of nutrition. No matter what you try, you can’t get these patients back to eating and gaining weight. You can tell that they are suffering as they quickly drop pounds every week.

    Is your pet’s quality of life affecting your family? 

    There will be times when you have to make a decision, simply because it is affecting you too much. You may be overwhelmed by the extra care that your dog or cat needs at the moment. Your friends and family may complain that your home smells like cat urine because your cat goes all over your home.

    You may not be sleeping at night because you are so worried about your pet. You may notice that your children are struggling and unhappy. Likewise, you may find yourself fighting with your spouse, simply because everyone is so wound up in your home. There is nothing wrong with making a decision based on your family’s happiness.

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    If you are contemplating euthanasia, you should always talk to your veterinarian first. He or she may be able to offer some ideas to help you keep your pet going as long as possible. However, you can be honest with your veterinarian. If you are struggling to care for your pet at home, it may be time to consider euthanasia. Your health (and your family’s) is also important.

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

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