February 13, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

Families looking to adopt a new animal tend to go after puppies or kittens or young adult pets. However, people who are interested in pets that are already potty trained, are calm and pleasant might want to direct their attention toward adult or senior animals.

November might be the month dedicated to adopting a senior pet because it is National Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, but any time of the year is a great opportunity to look into these loving and deserving animals. Dogs or cats who are fully mature or elderly tend to already be housebroken. This can come in handy for potential owners who are done raising their children and are looking for a constant companion more than another child. It might also be a better option for families with children as adult dogs tend to be more calm and relaxed, and you don't have to worry about potty training your dog in addition to your kids. However, you should always check with the rescue league you're getting the dog from to make sure any dog you're looking at is known to do well with kids as accidents can happen.

Elder dogs also seem to be able to integrate into new family life better than younger pups because they have most likely been around plenty of people in their lifetimes thus far and know a little bit about what living in a home entails.

Although there are many benefits of getting a more mature dog, you will need to take certain considerations when it comes to health. First, you should have the vet at the shelter do a complete physical examination of the dog to check for any underlying medical conditions. Even if nothing serious is found, the vet might suggest you start the aging dog on joint health pet drugs or supplements to keep it limber for longer. Supplements like Dasuquin with glucosamine for dogs might help reduce joint inflammation, but if the dog already shows signs of arthritis or hip dysplasia, the vet might also suggest giving it anti-inflammatory medication like Metacam.

You can also help your aging pup by getting it pet products like Dog Steps with 4 Steps to allow your dog to get up and down from its favorite chair or couch with little strain. A heated bed such as the Bolster Heated Dog Bed or one that offers orthopedic support like the Plush Memory Sleeper might also help keep its body safe and comfortable while it spends its days at its forever home.

Related posts:

1. Steps to a having a healthy senior dog
2. Reasons behind your senior dog’s mood swings
3. Why is my senior dog losing weight?
4. Keep your senior pet healthy for life
5. Pets continue to be man’s best friend