November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month! While there’s no bad time to adopt a pet, this is a perfect opportunity to bring a new furry friend into your home. Why not consider an older dog or cat? Puppies and kittens are adorable, but senior pets also have some pretty ‘pawesome’ advantages. A Dahlonega, GA veterinarian lists some reasons to consider adopting a senior dog or cat below.
No Surprises
When you get a puppy or kitten, you really don’t know exactly what your pet will look like as an adult, or how big they’ll get. This is often an issue with dogs, as so many landlords and HOAs have restrictions about pets’ sizes. With senior pets, you won’t have to guess what your furry pal will look like, or what their personality will be. What you see is what you get!
Prior Experience
Another great thing about older animals is the fact that they have usually been pets before. Typically, they’re already fixed and housebroken or litterbox-trained. Senior dogs often already know simple commands, like Sit, Stay, and Come. As for older kitties, well, they know purrfectly well how to train their humans to feed or pet them on demand!
Less Shenanigans
Older pets have generally already passed through their destructive, super-frisky stages. By this point in their lives, Fido and Fluffy are more interested in catching Z’s than in catching squirrels. You won’t have to walk or play with them as much as you would a younger animal. Plus, you probably won’t have to worry about them digging holes in your yard or going through the trash. This makes them a wonderful option for anyone who doesn’t have the energy to train or keep up with a puppy or kitten.
Purrs And Tail Wags
Dogs and cats in their golden years are just as cute as puppies and kittens in their own way. Plus, they often really just want to be petted and cuddled. It’s hard not to smile at a senior cat napping peacefully in her favorite spot. It’s also heartwarming to see an older dog close his eyes with happiness when you scratch that itchy spot. Most importantly, these sweet, docile pets have just as much love to give as younger ones!
Please contact us, your Dahlonega, GA vet hospital, for all your senior pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!