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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!

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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. 

  • 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.