ADOPTING AN OLDER PET

DO SENIOR ANIMALS REALLY MAKE GOOD PETS?

When people are considering obtaining a new pet, I always encourage them to adopt or rescue an animal. The pet overpopulation problem is so severe that about 20 million animals end up in shelters here in the USA every year. About 5 million of those are purebreds.

Doing your homework before you get the new pet is a very critical factor in having good success at placing an animal in your home and having a happy relationship. Often, people obtain a new animal and remember all the difficulties and work that a younger animal is after it is too late!

Puppies, although cute and moldable, are a handful! Soiled carpeting and rugs, late nights and early mornings, running stools, teething and other things such as chewing, digging, barking, nipping, scratching and jumping are just some of the behavior challenges owners will have to confront again.

Does that sound like fun to you? It is a lot of work! As a behavior consultant working with all those problems on a daily basis motivates me to not deal with a young pup again unless forced. The last thing that a consultant wants to do is work with other people's problems and then come home and work some more! My animal now was obtained when he was older and I highly recommend doing that.

What should you think about before rescuing an older dog? Let's make a list and examine it more closely:

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET
PREDICTABLE HISTORY
CAN TAKE YOUR TIME
HELP SAVE A LIFE
VETERINARY CONSIDERATIONS
PHYSICAL DEMANDS LOW
DIETARY INTAKE
TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS?

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET
With adopted older dogs (seniors) you will usually know about any behavior challenges or health considerations before you get the animal. In other words, there are no surprises. Any problems that are there will be pretty well-established, in some cases they can be addressed behaviorally but you will be able to avoid those animals that will be unsuitable for your lifestyle and family composition.

PREDICABLE HISTORY
A complete history on the animal should include any past Veterinary records, behavioral notes, and assessments from behavior professionals. Even then, there could be some red flags that come up or that are not very apparent. Pay attention to them since some previous owners are not truthful and will leave out important information that could be dangerous. Looking at all the records and notes is important. Taking your time to get to know the animal and putting in into a variety of circumstances can give you a pretty fair assessment.

CAN TAKE YOUR TIME
It is also important to take your time in making this decision. Many people will take more time in selecting a car or stereo system than in obtaining a pet! Research the breed and their traits thoroughly. Make sure to spend time with the animal over a few days or even a longer period if you can. Put them or take them into different environments, expose them to other animals or family members on neutral ground and get a good feel for the individual. If you have any "gut feelings" pay attention to them and if you have any doubts, don't adopt that animal.

HELP SAVE A LIFE
Consider getting an animal from an animal shelter or a breed rescue group. These animals will take longer to adjust and adapt but usually end up being the very best of pets. Remember that these animals have been through a very traumatic experience of losing their family or being abandoned by them so you must allow them time to adjust. Some take a few weeks while others will take a few months. Grieving animals should not be adopted out until they are a bit more out of that period. Signs they show are looking for their owners, pacing, and not showing interest in others around them. Some animals are very lethargic and lose their appetite, lose weight, and do not want to play or engage in other activities.

VETERINARY CONSIDERATIONS
Make sure you have looked over the Veterinary medical records thoroughly. Stitches from attacks or fights could signal aggressive tendencies. You will want to pay attention to other health problems from clues such as past medications, diseases or operations. Make sure your Veterinarian looks at the paperwork and gives you the okay. It is a good idea to have the animal checked by your Vet before it goes home with you. This is especially important if you already have other animals in the home. Sometimes a night in the Vet clinic kennel allows the test results to come in clear before you expose your existing pets to the new one.

Older pets may or may not have more medical problems. Often they will have moles, fatty tumors, and other minor things. They may show other signs of aging such as loss of eyesight or hearing. You must be prepared to deal with an older animal having more trips to the Veterinarian and a shorter lifespan with you.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS LOW
Fortunately these animals are not as demanding as some of their younger counterparts. Like any animal, give them quality time in the form of attention and walks. They may be more content to sleep and curl up at your feet and nap. The nice thing about older animals is that they will prefer quiet walks to running or active play and will usually not pull you around on the leash or jump on you.

DIETARY INTAKE
Nutritional requirements are important to an older dog. The caloric value needs to be less if they are to remain fit and trim. Heavier dogs will have a shorter lifespan and more health risks and problems than animals kept at their optimal weight. Rich foods, as a rule, should be avoided. Check with your Canine Nutritionist or Veterinarian for the best program recommendations.

TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS?
You can have a great time with your older dog and can train them new things. This is contrary to the old myth which says "You can't train an old do new tricks." Training an older dog is different since they are just like senior citizens. They take longer to respond and their reactions are slower. They can learn and usually like it! Often, since they probably have some training, new fun behaviors can be worked on. Just remember that they may be achy or slow and don't tax them either mentally or physically. If you have a behavior you want to get rid of, get some professional help since it may take a while to extinguish!

PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK!
The rewards are great if you adopt an older dog. You should feel good about your decision to provide love and attention to an animal that would otherwise not have a chance. They often tend to be some of the best companions you could ever find. It is unfortunate that they are often overlooked since they will provide you with loyalty, love, and companionship in their own quiet and individual way. And a thumping tail and a cold nose is a wonderful thing to experience whatever the age.