While the #adoptdontshop movement is, fortunately, gaining traction among fellow dog lovers, adopting a senior dog still largely remains the least favored option. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, three out of every four puppies in the United States get adopted but the tale is grimmer for senior dogs with only one out of every four finding his or her human family.

Understandably, the main reason behind this is the allure of bringing home a tiny, cute and playful pup whose mischievous stunts leave you laughing and marveling. But very few realize that an energetic pup requires a lot of supervision and effort, especially if you are a first-time pet parent, and contrary to popular belief, senior dogs make amazing pets too, due to a multitude of reasons! Read on as we explain when and why adopting a senior dog might be a kinder and more rewarding option for you.

A common assumption about senior dogs is that they are best-suited for experienced pet parents and require more supervision and effort but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you’re completely new to the pet-parenting scene and are looking for a more manageable dog, senior dogs are often a great choice!

SENIOR DOGS MAKE GREAT FIRST PETS!

Owing to comparatively lower energy levels than pups and young dogs, senior dogs are naturally calmer and less mischievous, which means fewer temper tantrums and a more manageable home for you. They require minimal supervision and fussing over, leaving you with plenty of quality time to bond with your new pet. So if you’re scouting for your first ever furry buddy, or your second, or your third, or your fourth (you get the point), you now know that a senior dog would be a great choice, minus a lot of the hassle!

And what’s more, most senior dogs come partly or fully house-trained, making the housebreaking process easier for you.

THEY ARE OFTEN HOUSE-TRAINED

If you’re bringing home a puppy, he or she is probably too young to have received any kind of training but on the other hand, if you’re adopting an older dog from a shelter, they often come leash and potty trained and are more receptive towards new training as well. Pet parenting is mostly schooling, caring, and cuddling, and so with house-broken senior dogs, almost half your work is done!

Still not convinced? Here’s more.

WITH SENIOR DOGS, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

People are often surprised by the many changes that their dog goes through, both mentally and physically, as he or she ages.  A tiny puppy might grow up to be a magnificently huge adult while a calm and shy one might grow into a fierce, bold dog. These are mostly pleasant surprises but if you are someone who prefers fewer to zero surprises, then senior dogs are perfect for you! 

Older dogs tend to have already grown into their mature selves physically and also possess unique and evolved personalities of their own that seldom change drastically after adoption. So by bringing home a senior dog, you skip all those rebellious and transformative teen years and directly head into the more laid-back years of pet-parenting.

But would your adult dog love you as much as a pup would? Yes, and more.

OLDER DOGS ARE AS RECEPTIVE TO LOVE AND APPRECIATIVE AS PUPS

Every dog, young or old, is an infinite source of joy and love, just waiting to find his or her human. While those puppy eyes would undeniably have you falling in love over and over again, senior dogs can bond just as well or even more with their humans, often creating deeper connections. Because of their calmer temperament and age, they appreciate and love you more for every kind gesture, especially if they’ve had a rough or difficult past on the streets or in a shelter. So with most or all temper tantrums gone, you both develop a better understanding and love each other more with every passing day. 

Yet, a few remain unconvinced as they fear that adopting a senior dog would mean fewer years to spend with each other. Not to worry.

THERE ARE STILL MANY HEALTHY YEARS OF LOVE AHEAD

You might have missed their growing years but adopting a 7 or 8-year-old still leaves you with another 8 to 10 years of togetherness, if you take care of him or her well. Adding to this, as most of the time you spend with your senior dog is filled with love and understanding, these years are bound to be amazing and enriched with an abundance of great experiences, making up for the few years lost in the beginning. 

We’ve covered quite a few gratifying reasons why you should be adopting a senior dog, but the next one tops the list because it’s the simplest of all.

OLDER DOGS ARE DESERVING OF LOVE TOO

Enough said. 

Are you looking to adopt and would you like to be someone who gives them all that they deserve? Reach out to us, we have several amazing seniors as well as pups waiting for their forever homes! It takes only one dog to change your whole life for the better and shower you with a kind of love you can receive only from them. Change yours today.